Bobby Wilson names his greatest Mornington Peninsula CA Country Week cricket side

Bobby Wilson played in 17 Country Week carnivals for Mornington Peninsula, rubbing shoulders with some of the association’s greatest players. He names his best-ever side.

This side would be just about unbeatable.

And its celebrations would match its entertaining on-field play.

Melbourne Country Week triple title-winning champion Bobby Wilson has named his greatest Mornington Peninsula XI.

It’s the culmination of 17 annual carnivals with his beloved Purples that took in triumph and testing times.

Wilson churned out over 2000 runs, including three centuries, across 60 Country Week matches and captained for the past seven years until announcing his Country Week retirement at the end of last carnival.

Bobby Wilson batting for Mornington Peninsula against Sale/Maffra in the 2018 final. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Mornington Peninsula's champion 2013 Provincial division team.

Wilson names the best he went into battle with:

1. Justin Bridgeman: Opening can be a tough gig in Country Week at 10am on soft decks but he attacked the bowlers and often got us off to a great start. Had some fun partnerships with Bridgey and I found him hilarious off the field.

Justin Bridgeman on the drive in the 2009 Country Week final against Ballarat at the Albert Cricket Ground.

2. Shaun Foster: “Foz’’ also attacked the bowlers and made a brilliant hundred at Camberwell one day was a great batsman to watch.

Shaun Foster.

3. Dan Warwick (captain): Great captain who everyone respected and listened to. He rarely failed with the bat. Class.

Daniel Warwick.

4. Chris Brittain: Could bat anywhere in the top 5 and take the game away from the opposition in 10 overs and same with the ball, he could change the game in a spell.

Chris Brittain cuts hard. Picture: Mark Dadswell

5. Scotty Phillips: Probably the best all-round player I’ve seen. Scored hundreds, took wickets and his fielding...he got three direct-hit run outs in the space of five overs to turn a game for us at Frankston one year.

Scott Phillips.

6. Juzzy Grant: Probably the best Purple of the past 10 years. Same as Scotty, he was always in the game. He would have taken the most wickets than anyone in the past 10 years, amazing fielder and handy middle order batsman who played some very important innings for us. Should have played more Vic Country.

Justin Grant.

7. Wade Pelzer: The ultimate team man. Would bat anywhere from opening to 10 depending on the side, Great gloves and loved playing for the Purples.

Wade Pelzer batting for the Mornington Peninsula.

8. Dale Irving: Swung the ball and I reckon bowled quicker at Country Week, handy with the bat down the order as well. He made 50 on the MCG which gave us a chance to win.

Dale Irving. Picture: Chris Eastman

9. Lyle House: Lyle was great for the side on and off the field. Turf suited his leggies and he bowled some great spells for us.

Lyle House celebrates a wicket against Sale/Maffra. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

10. John Forrest: Got better the older he got. Famous for only being on the ground for the 20 overs when he was bowling. Was great for the group and he took some big wickets for us.

John Forrest.

11. Darren Groves: Only played two games I think in 2013 but he helped us beat Geelong in a rain shortened game on the Tuesday and then in the final Friday set up the win on a flat Albert pitch. Was a class above on the turf.

Darren Groves.

SPECIAL MENTIONS:

Paul Hartle: My first captain and great to watch; a hard-nosed captain who dominated with bat and ball.

Kierran Voelkl: Probably been the best bat the past 6-7 years. Class on the turf.

Adam Jones: “Doofa’’ loved the Purples and would steam in day in, day out.