The men who will represent the South East at the 2021/22 Senior Country Cup at the end of the month have been announced by the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association with a strong team looking to reclaim cricketing honours.
A 13-player squad has been announced to take on the state’s best country cricketers at the high-level played in Adelaide during the first week of February.
South East aims to win at least two of its pool games against Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and Murray Districts/Barrier to book a semi-final spot ahead of the decider at the immaculate Karen Rolton Oval.
The South East side has a fine record at the competition having reached the decider in three of the last five occasions.
The 2019/20 summer was a standout with the side enjoying an unbeaten run to the title.
However, the team has a score to settle after its title defence last year went pear shaped.
Getting bundled out for 73 on the opening afternoon of competition was a sign of things to come as the team led by Nick McInerney could not find its best and lost every game.
But South East has made its intentions of climbing back to the top clear by bringing a coach on board to guide the team on and off the field.
Experienced head Kieran Ashby will take the reins and will utilise his rich tapestry of knowledge compiled across more than 150 games in the middle.
On the pitch there is a mix of familiar faces and new ones to the team.
McInerney will continue being a valued member of the side with the leadership skills of being an unbeaten captain in Barber Shield finals, plus his game-changing abilities with the bat and ball.
He will be joined by his T20 skipper Declan Kenny, who will be a key part of the pace attack alongside team mate Tim Young.
The Tigers are easily the most represented club with its fourth and final member being youngster Elliott Fisher, who has been rewarded for his fine all-round record with a maiden Country Cup cap.
The two leading men of Penola’s charge to the top of the Barber Shield ladder are also expected to feature heavily.
Barber Shield captain Mark Smith has continued to be a run-scoring machine averaging 41 this summer, while Michael Waters will always be accurate with the ball.
Young West Gambier batter Connor Prior retains his spot in the squad after experiencing his maiden trip last season and will have teammate Jake Blackwell for company, who is expected to be given the gloves.
Spearheading the bowling attack will be East Gambier skipper Alex Hentschke.
Hentschke is the joint leading wicket taker in this summer’s Barber Shield and can also score valuable runs from any position.
The allrounder known as “Sauce” has fond memories of the Country Cup after he delivered the high point of last season smashing an entertaining 82-ball ton against Fleurieu and Districts.
Mil Lel receives some representation after taking the Barber Shield by storm in the form of Will Rowland.
Rowland has attacked from ball one at the top of the order for his club and hopes to replicate these devastating results in the Country Cup.
Jacob Carger has been a revelation for Millicent in the Dycer Constructions Big Bash and an even bigger influence for Rendelsham each Saturday, so has been rewarded with a call up, while Western Flat’s Mitch Douglas completes the squad.
The Senior Country Cup kicks off on Monday, January 31 when South East meets Yorke Peninsula at Henley Grange Memorial Oval.
