By Lachlan Onions
PENOLA’s Jack Mullan and North Sportsman’s Nick McInerney will fly the flag for the South East after they were called up to represent the SA Country side in Canberra next month.
After a four-year absence from the side, McInerney will return to the SA Country side for the third time and the first as vice-captain.
“It is an honour and certainly not something I expected but it is pretty cool and a good achievement for sure,” McInerney said.
He has captained the South East representative side for a few years now and is looking forward to taking on this new role.
The carnival will pit McInerney and Mullan against the best country cricketers in Australia.
Mullan said it was a privilege to be named in the side and believes this opportunity will help him develop as a cricketer.
“The standard that you are playing at, you can really lift your game from those types of carnivals and take yourself to the next level,” he said.
Unlike McInerney, this is the first time Mullan has made the Senior SA Country side and said this opportunity would be one of the highlights of his career.
He said it was a good feeling to finally be named in the side.
“The last couple of years I’ve been building towards this and I was just happy to get the rewards,” Mullan said.
He said he hopes he can bring some versatility to the side with his ability to bat and bowl
Previously, Mullan has played for the South East at junior and senior level and also made the SA State Country side as a junior.
More recently, he spent a season playing for the Ilkey Cricket Club in 2019 over in the United Kingdom.
Preparations for the carnival will begin in early January when the SA Outbacks play against the SA Under 19 team the week prior to the competition.
This will be McInerney’s first chance to meet some of the players before they take to the big stage the the following week.
“I think the carnival is always a good way to test yourself against some great country cricketers across the country,” he said.
“It gives you an opportunity to hone your skills and hit the back end of the season with more form.”
For McInerney there is still an unknown about how the team will perform but is confident whoever is selected in the final 11 will have an impact.
Being named as vice-captain for this side is one of many leadership roles McInerney has held throughout his sporting career.
He said his confidence speaking in front of people and his ability to slot into any team and a play a role are helpful are helpful attributes being a leader.
McInerney and Mullan will be joined by former West Gambier player Connor Prior.
SA Country Squad:
Coby Cornish (Captain), Nick McInerney (Vice-captain), Jayden Crees, Zach Fielding, Mitchell Fuss, Angus Glazbrook, David Golder, Louis Green, Angus Handke, Matthew Martin, Jack Mullan, Connor Prior, Cameron Summer, Ben Thiel.
