A total of 11 Mount Gambier players have been selected for South East’s title defence at the 2020-21 Senior Country Carnival.

The side will travel up to the Barossa Valley in the first week of February to take on the top country cricketers from the state.

North Sportsman’s Nick McInerney led the team to glory last summer and returns to the team alongside fellow Tigers’ bowlers Declan Kenny and Tim Young.

Penola also enjoys strong representation with Jack Mullan and respective Barber Shield and Twenty20 captains Mark Smith and Michael Waters.

West Gambier young guns Connor Prior and Sam Willis give the team plenty of exuberance.

Current Barber Shield ladder leaders East Gambier sends its captain Alex Hentschke and young all-rounder Emerson Marks.

The final MGDCA representative is South stalwart Robert Drenthen.

With a nice mix of youth and experience providing a wealth of batting and bowling options, the side hopes to continue its successful form at the tournament.

South East has a fine recent record at the competition having reached the decider in three of the last four occasions.

Last summer was a standout with the side enjoying an unbeaten run to the title, so the current crop of players have big shoes to fill.

The opening game is against Barossa and Light at Nuriootpa on Monday, February 1.