Ballarat Cricket Association has announced an initial 24-strong squad as it prepares to return to Melbourne Country Week in February.
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Wendouree veterans Sam Miller and Heath Pyke are among a handful players in the squad who represented the BCA when the Victorian Country Cricket League carnival was last contested two seasons ago.
COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of this year's Country Week.
North Ballarat duo Leigh Lorenzen and Ash McCafferty, and Mt Clear's Jacob Smith are others in the squad who played for Ballarat in 2020 when the BCA lost to Bendigo in the provincial final.
Reigning premier Darley and Wendouree have the biggest representation with four players each.
SQUAD
Darley: Danza Hyatt, Dilan Chandima, Hasi Wickramasinghe, Madushanka Ekanayaka.
Golden Point: Josh Pegg, Josh White.
North Ballarat: Leigh Lorenzen, Mick Nolan, Ash McCafferty.
Buninyong: Liam Rigby, Kendrick Hatton.
Wendouree: Sam Miller, Tom Batters, Cole Roscholler, Heath Pyke.
Ballarat-Redan: Zac Jenkins, Jayden Hayes, Nathan Patrikeos.
Napoleons-Sebastopol: Sajith Dissanayaka.
East Ballarat: Adam Eddy, Harry Ganley.
Mt Clear: Matt Goonan, John Butler, Jacob Smith.
Brown Hill is the only club in the BCA firsts competition without a representative.
Darren Fletcher continues in the role of head coach as Ballarat strives to secure its first provincial title since 2008 at the five-day event from Monday, February 14.
The BCA has also named an emerging players' squad to play against Hamilton on Sunday, February 13, to celebrate the 100th year of Melbourne Country Week.
Ballarat and Hamilton met in the first final.
The match provides Ballarat with an opportunity to showcase its best young talent in firsts ranks.
Eight clubs are represented, with Golden Point and Brown Hill missing out.
Wendouree again has the most players in the running for selection with four.
