The Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ‘A’ grade season kicks off tomorrow with eight teams chasing premiership glory. There’s been some changes to the competition since last season with Mount Barker and Wistow dropping out of ‘A’ grade ranks, while Macclesfield, who have won the past two A2 premierships, have made the step up to the top tier for the first time since 2005/06. There will be 18 rounds in 2021/22 with games being one day contests of 45 overs per side.

Last season, Nairne won an amazing premiership after winning their last two minor round games to make it to the top four, before going on a stunning finals run which culminated in their grand final victory against Lobethal. It was Nairne’s 15th AEHCA ‘A’ grade flag. Luke Timmins will lead the Razorbacks again in 2021/22 and his squad will be boosted by the inclusion of Nick Massaci (Modbury), Caleb Walker (Mount Barker) and Luke Clayton (NSW), while promising junior Zac Llewellyn returns from underage district cricket. Sam Rowe is taking a step back to spend more time with family, while Trai Willis injured his knee during football season and will miss the majority of the season.

Last year’s runner-up Lobethal went agonisingly close to their first ‘A’ grade flag in AEHCA ranks and have added former Wistow players Lachlan and Hayden Elsworthy to their playing list, while Mitch Weeks will captain the ‘A’ grade in 2021/22, replacing Ben Matthews. Lobethal’s bowling was a real strength last season with Cam Winen, Weeks, Matt Martin and Will Zadow combining for 94 wickets, while Matthews was a standout with the bat making 475 runs.

Langhorne Creek will look to bounce back after finishing minor premier last season before going out of the finals in ‘straight sets’. Daniel Cleggett will take over from Matt Tonkin as ‘A’ grade skipper with Brodie O’Dea and Troy Blackwell as his deputies. Ben McLeod and Brayden Frost return to the Tigers, while the club has picked up 17 y/o all-rounder Trent Frahn from Monarto and fast bowler Jens Christensen from Queensland. Christensen has some good ‘Creeks’ pedigree with his grandfather, Warren Mills, being a former player as well as a four-time premiership player with the Langhorne Creek Football Club.

Hahndorf will enter the 2021/22 season keen to make amends after exiting the finals in week one in March. Ryan Trafford-Walker will lead the Magpies again this season but he will be without Shaun Tait who has returned to live in London and Graydon Brand who will suit up for Bremer/Callington. They have picked up a couple of handy replacements in Paul Allegretto (Kensington) and Michael Harden (Nairne). The Magpies will look forward to training a little bit more this season with new training nets being completed recently.

Strathalbyn missed the finals on percentage last season as their wait for a drought-breaking ‘A’ grade premiership extended to 23 seasons. The Stallions have appointed Justin Neumann as club coach while after six seasons in charge, Mark Abbott has stepped down as captain with Brayden Gaiter taking over as ‘A’ grade skipper. There are no major personnel changes at the Stallions, although Matty Roberts will probably be unavailable as he is hopeful of being drafted into the AFL! The club has a number of second year under 16 players that they hope will get more opportunities at ‘A’ Grade level including Jack Roberts, Tyson Roberts and Riley Brook. 

Woodside missed finals action last year for the second season in a row and will be hoping to rectify this situation in 2021/22. Shane Collins will take over from his brother Brad as ‘A’ grade skipper this season. The Warriors will look to Tommy Baldock and club legend Dave Wescombe with the bat, and Chris Baschiera and skipper Collins with the ball, to push for the top-four.

Bremer/Callington have been busy in the off-season with a new turf pitch for the ‘number 1’ oval and plenty of player movements. Daniel Lowe returns after a season off and the Cobras have picked up Graydon Brand (Hahndorf), Rajesh Kumar (Southern Warriors) and Sanket Pawale (Clydesdale Farm - NSW). Nick Williams (Sturt) and Brad Louch (Meadows) have departed the club. Jai McMurtrie, who took over the captaincy during last season, will continue as ‘A grade skipper.

Macclesfield are back in ‘A’ grade ranks for the first time since the 2005-06 season after winning the past two A2 flags. For the fifth consecutive season, the Redbacks will be led by David Caddle and his side will be mostly unchanged from last season, apart from Brad Noske who is having a season off. Kieran O’Connell, Lachlan Barrett and Caddle combined for more than 1,200 runs last season, while Barrett (25 wickets) and Tom Malzard (21 wickets) will be keys for ‘Maccy’ with the ball.

Round 1 fixture (home teams named first)

Langhorne Creek v Strathalbyn

Woodside v Nairne

Macclesfield v Hahndorf

Bremer/Callington v Lobethal