The Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season gets underway tomorrow with nine teams competing in the ‘A’ grade competition. ‘A’ grade fixtures will be one-day games (45 overs).

Langhorne Creek pulled off a miracle premiership win last season, defeating Hahndorf by two wickets off the last ball of the Grand Final. The Tigers had to win their last five matches just to make the finals and they went on to defeat Strathalbyn, Woodside and ultimately the Magpies in a pulsating Grand Final. Matt Tonkin will skipper the Tigers for a seventh season and the club will welcome back Brett Ellis, Ben McLeod and Jed Rothe. They have also recruited former SA Country representative, Brodie O’Dea, from mid-north club Pekina/Carrieton. Hahndorf were a revelation last season coming from bottom in 2017/18 to the minor premiership and a Grand Final appearance. Shaun Tait has departed the Magpies to take up the senior coaching role at Adelaide Cricket Club. Former Meadows premiership skipper, Kris Dawe, will take over as captain and the club has picked up leg-spinner Cameron Harris from country Victoria. The Magpies will look to further develop their young players over the course of the season including Henry Baker who is an elegant left hand bat, and Henry Hassold who is a gritty middle order batsman and promising leg-spinner.

Perennial finalist Woodside finished second at the end of the minor round but sadly exited the premiership race in ‘straight sets’ after losses to Hahndorf and Langhorne Creek. The Warriors will look to bounce back strongly with Brad Collins to continue as ‘A’ grade skipper. As usual Woodside will have plenty of depth with four senior teams including the re-introduction of a ‘B’ grade side that will feature a number of father/son combinations. The club has recruited Will Worthington from Keswick Cricket Club while Brayden Coulthard, Tommy Baldock and club legend, Nick Johns return. Noah Bell returns from injury but opening bowler Shane Druwitt has moved to Lenswood to play with his brother. Strathalbyn would also have been disappointed by their end to the season after being knocked out of the finals race by arch rival Langhorne Creek. Gun all-rounder Mark Abbott continues as skipper while former players Ben Cousins and Brayden Gaiter return. The club has a number of exciting under 16 premiership players coming up to senior ranks which will hold the club in good stead going forward. The Stallions will be celebrating their 150th anniversary with a commemorative dinner in the new year where the club will name their ‘best ever XI’.

After an amazing run of nine premierships in 10 seasons, Nairne missed the finals last season after losing in the final round to Hahndorf. It’s been a changing of the guard over the past couple of seasons with Shaun & Jarrad Tait leaving and now club legend Kym Heinrich hanging up the boots. The club will look towards developing its young players such as Lachlan May and James Graves as the Razorbacks look ahead to more glory days. Lobethal has reappointed Ben Matthews as skipper and Sam Graeber as vice-captain while Kym Graeber remains as senior coach. The Tigers have lost batsman Matt Hill back to St Peters Old Collegians. The ‘A’ grade squad is young and remains relatively unchanged from last season.

Bremer-Callington had a very promising first year back in ‘A’ grade ranks in 2018/19 with seven victories, including a memorable win over powerhouse Woodside in round eight. Shaun & Gage Atkins have returned to Gumeracha but the club will welcome back Jai McMurtrie from Rose Park and David Westrych from Eastern Ranges. Wistow has steadily improved over the past two seasons, winning nine games after going winless in 2016/17. The club will have more than half their ‘A’ grade under the age of 20 at times this season so the focus will be to bring young players through and to keep improving. Bowlers Sam Smith and Finley Walsh will be back from injury but unfortunately promising young batsman, Matt Chapman sustained a knee injury during Football season. Gun all-rounder Daniel Jenner will take over the captaincy, fresh off a fantastic 2018/19 campaign which saw him amass 760 runs and claim 30 wickets. Mount Barker faced a tough return to ‘A’ grade ranks winning just one game last season however the Kookaburras will continue to promote youth to try and set the club up for a bright future. Promising all-rounder Ryhs Patterson will continue as skipper with Jackson Lee his deputy.

This week’s ‘A’ grade fixtures (home team named first)…..

Hahndorf v Lobethal

Woodside v Nairne

Strathalbyn v Langhorne Creek

Bremer-Callington v Mount Barker

Wistow has the bye