The Warrnambool Moyne and District Cricket Association (WMDCA) has announced its final 13-player squad for the upcoming Melbourne Country Week, scheduled to begin on February 9. With a strategic focus on the future, the team features several new players, including six making their debut in this prestigious tournament.
Bailey Jenkinson, an all-rounder from the North Warrnambool Eels, will take on the captaincy role. Among the newcomers are three players under 20: Ryan Mottram from Noorat Terang, Charlie James of Allansford-Panmure, and Gibson Perry from Nestles. Additionally, first-year overseas players Mohammad Abbas from Port Fairy and Dilip Tharaka from Dennington have received call-ups due to their impressive performances.
WMDCA coach Jason Mungean emphasized the need for regeneration within the team. “Over the past five or six years, the team hasn’t changed much apart from the imports,” he stated in an interview with The Standard. “It was just time to blood some new players and start building for the next generation. I think there’s a good mix; they’ve all got plenty of skill and ability.”
Despite the youthful energy, the squad retains significant experience. Alongside Jenkinson, seasoned players include Geoff Williams from Nestles, wicket-keeper Cam Williams from Russells Creek, and all-rounder Todd Lamont from Mortlake, all veterans of multiple Country Week campaigns.
The team’s spin bowling will likely be a key strength, featuring Abbas, Lamont, and Mortlake’s Kalhan Sineth, who collectively have taken 58 premier division wickets this season. Both Tharaka and Jenkinson are also effective wicket-takers, alongside Geoff Williams. The pace attack will be shared by left-arm quick James, a representative for Victoria Country under-17 last year, who has made a significant impact with 19 wickets to date, and newcomer Perry, Mottram, and Ben Rantall from Dennington. West Warrnambool’s Joe Nyikos can contribute with medium pace options.
Mungean expressed particular excitement about Gibson Perry’s potential. “Probably, no one in the league’s really seen much of Gibson Perry,” he remarked. “He’s a big, tall fast bowler, seven-foot-tall, just comes in and bowls fast. He bowled really well during a practice match against an international team, taking a couple of wickets and looking promising.”
Historically, WMDCA last secured a Country Week title in 2023, capturing the division two shield. After being promoted to the provincial division in 2024 and subsequently relegated at the end of the 2025 carnival, the current goal is to reclaim the title and return to the top grade. Mungean acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating that while they are still learning about their opponents, the team possesses a deep batting lineup.
“Without pre-empting anything, I think we bat right down to number 12,” he indicated. “Whoever’s at number 12 is going to be no mug with the stick either, so there’s going to be plenty of opportunity to make runs, and the wickets are always good down there.”
The WMDCA’s final squad for the Melbourne Country Week includes:
– Bailey Jenkinson (North Warrnambool Eagles)
– Geoff Williams (Nestles)
– Mohammad Abbas (Port Fairy)
– Dilip Tharaka (Dennington)
– Zavier Mungean (Allansford-Panmure)
– Cam Williams (Russells Creek)
– Joe Nyikos (West Warrnambool)
– Todd Lamont (Mortlake)
– Ben Rantall (Dennington)
– Ryan Mottram (Noorat Terang)
– Charlie James (Allansford-Panmure)
– Gibson Perry (Nestles)
– Kalhan Sineth (Mortlake)
As the team prepares for the competition, all eyes will be on these promising players as they take the field in Melbourne.
