CENTRAL Highlands is back in the game and vying to restore its former glory for sporting the state's best under-21 cricketers.
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The Highlanders were a powerhouse, winning three consecutive Victorian Country Cricket League under-21 cups from 2008 to 2010 and were thwarted by Gippsland and a crazy storm in their bid for a fourth crown in 2011.
But last year, the Highlanders were a no-show when the cup's opening round clashed with Ballarat Cricket Association's Twenty20 matches.
Free from cricketing double-ups for this season's opener against Barwon on Sunday, Highlanders' chairman of selectors Rob McIntyre was also confident in depth of the squad across the region's associations to produce a solid carnival this month.
"These guys are all mostly fresh to the competition because we didn't play last year but a lot have come through the Central Highlands pathways squads," McIntyre said.
"We're hopeful our Ballarat guys remain available...there's also some handy players from Gisborne, Maryborough and the Grampians associations we could call on."
The Highlanders have called on seven BCA players to face Barwon in North Geelong: Brad Barnes (Darley), Ollie Hayes (East Ballarat), Grant Trevenen (Mount Clear), Leigh Lorenzen, Matt Spratling (North Ballarat) and Jack Peeters (Wendouree).
Gisborne's five representatives will primarily sharpen the Highlanders' bowling attack while Grampians' Harry Ganley is in stellar batting form, including a ton for Buangor earlier this month.
McIntyre said that Barwon, an experienced finals contender the past couple of summers, would be a particularly tough assignment on Geelong turf.
The VCCL has changed competition format and split the cup into western and eastern pools this season.
Central Highlands will face Western Waves in round two on November 23 before the top team in each pool battle the title match.
The Highlanders' western pool also includes Mallee-Murray.
TEAM - BCA: Brad Barnes (Darley), Ollie Hayes (East Ballarat), Grant Trevenen (Mount Clear), Leigh Lorenzen, Matt Spratling (North Ballarat) and Jack Peeters (Wendouree). GRAMPIANS: Harry Ganley, Jack Ganley (Buangor). GISBORNE: Marcus Stewart, Josh Eastley, Tom Robson (Woodend), Josh Wallace (Sunbury United), Stephen Roche (Riddell).
