THE South East will hope to redeem itself after a grand final loss last year when competing in the South Australian Senior Country Cricket Carnival in Adelaide next week.
The South East was defeated by Upper North in the grand final in 2017 and will hope to go one better this year.
Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association is renowned for producing strong competitors and this side – captained by North Sportsmans’ Jake Schutz – will be no exception.
Schutz has selected a mixture of both youth and experience, which he hopes will be a recipe for success at the four-day championships.
The McInerney brothers – Nick and Matthew – are fresh off state country representation and will hope to take some leadership into the week in Adelaide.
Both are strong all-rounders who will looke to make their mark on the competition.
Penola’s Dave Somerfield and George Kidman will bring a level of experience to the group.
Somerfield is another all-rounder who will take wickets and make runs in the crucial moments of games, while Kidman will be a strong bowler throughout the championship.
However, while there will be some standouts, Schutz said he will looke for strong performances across the board.
“I definitely think we have the team to win it,” he said.
“We have some exciting players and match winners in the McInerney brothers, Dylan Clough, Dave Somerfield and Robbie Drenthen.
“However, we will not just reply on them, we will need everyone to play well throughout the week.”
It will be a tough week with the bat and ball against some quality opposition, but Schutz said the side was excited by the challenge.
“We are looking forward to the carnival as a team,” he said.
“It’s something we look forward to all cricket season and when it gets closer we just cannot wait to get up there.
“It will be a tough week.
“There are some very good sides in the carnival, York Peninsula are always strong – they won it four years in a row – and Upper North – being the reining premiers – will also be hard to beat, if we play them.
“Alice Springs have a side competing this year so it will be exciting to see what they can do.”
While the aim will take home the championship, Schutz said the side plans to take each game as it comes.
“We are definitely hoping to win it – as I’m sure every side would be – but we do not need to put too much pressure on ourselves after last year’s loss,” he said.
“I think having a mixture of experience and youth will be very good, especially for the guys who are playing for the first time in the carnival.
“Selection can be tough, especially trying to find the right mix with bat and ball and with experience and youth too, but I’m confident we have the right mix.
“I’m expecting strong performances from the McInerney’s, Somerfield and Clough, but hoping everyone in the side can play well the whole week.”
Fleurieu and Districts will be the South East’s first opponent on Monday, followed by Eyre Peninsula Tuesday and Yorke Peninsula Wednesday.
The finals will be played on Thursday and the winner in the first-versus-second game will claime the title.
South East Country Cricket Carnival side: Jake Schutz (captain), Matt McInerney, Nick McInerney, Brad Close (wicket keeper), Michael Silvy, Jase Bateman, Dave Somerfield, George Kidman, Michael Waters, Dylan Clough, Robbie Drenthen (vice captain), Camron Jorgensen, Josh Jantosh, Luke Wiese.
