THE Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) selectors have announced the Hurricanes squad for the Festival of Cricket men’s competition that will play round one of the 2023-24 competition at Frew Park, Mount Gambier this Sunday.

With members of last seasons squad moving from the Association, the selectors have announced new players to take these spots and players who have retained their places from previous summers.

There is a new group of players from the Tyrendarra club that have chosen to play for Hamilton rather than Portland and they give the Hurricanes increased strength across the squad.

The squad announced includes Brendan Huf, Russell Elton, James Guthrig (St Andrew’s), Zach Burgess (Grampians), Jacob Edwards, Logan Gibbs, Carey Megaw, Rick Killey (Casterton District), Hamish Withers, Jordi Withers, Sam Wilson, Lachie Kirk (Tyrendarra), Hamish Cook, Caleb Millard (Hamilton), Peter Staude (Pigeon Ponds), Jack Austin (College), Oscar Newell (Hamilton North) and Kyle Smitten (Macarthur).

The team to travel to Mount Gambier will be selected from the above squad with some of those listed above being unavailable, but the selectors have retained the right to add and delete players as required.

The squad for the Hurricanes Over-40s competition will be announced next week in preparation of the side defending its title last summer.

The senior women’s squad is also in the selection process for its competition to be staged later in the season.

Portland has also announced its senior representative side for the upcoming Festival of Cricket matches, with Luke Evans once again taking on the captaincy, while Lachie Warburton will be vice-captain.

They had been hoping to play their first fixture this weekend against South West Cricket Association, however according to Evans this had to be delayed until at least next weekend due to their opposition having yet to field a full side.

Although Portland and Hamilton’s associations have amalgamated within their senior competitions, HDCA president, Lloyd Ilett said at the time the move was announced that Portland would be able to continue to field their own representative side.

Portland players have been giving the option of picking whether they wish to represent Portland or Hamilton’s representative sides, with Ilett saying this choice was made to increase the participation in representative cricket within Portland.

“The more players playing at a higher level the better they become, which in turn helps their clubs at a local level,” Ilett said.