The Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) season starts on Saturday (12/10) with eight teams chasing the ‘A’ grade flag. The season will consist of 18 rounds of 45-over games. 

Lobethal won their third AEHCA ‘A’ grade premiership in a row last season and once again will be led by all-rounder Mitch Weeks. Ben Matthews (595 runs last season), Weeks (437) and Daniel Norsworthy (356) will once again be key with the bat for the Tigers, while they have multiple options with the ball including Sam Graeber, Jeremy Hackett and Matt Martin. Langhorne Creek has lost the past two grand finals and have appointed Adam Clements as skipper for season 2024/25. Clements returns to the Tigers ‘full-time’ after playing grade cricket at Kensington. Wessel Van Wyk will play more cricket after being injured last season, while former skipper Matt Tonkin has indicated he is keen to play most of the season as well. Strathalbyn finished third last season and will be looking for their first premiership since 1997/98. Senior players Mark Abbott and Luke Cousins combined for over 1,000 runs last season and will once again be important cogs for the Stallions. Skipper Brayden Gaiter will lead the attack after snaring 46 wickets in 2023/24, while youngsters such as Tyson Roberts, Riley Tonkin and Lachlan Cutting will look to build on the experience gained last season. Perennial finalists Nairne will once again be led by Robert Crook and will invest in young players such as Zac Llewellyn, Will Brooks, Jack May and Tom May to improve in 2024/25. The Razorbacks are also hopeful of a few more appearances from gun Sturt all-rounder Corey Kelly throughout the season. 

Bremer Callington will look to move up the table this season after winning just one game in 2023/24. Graydon Brand, fresh off making 501 runs last season, will be co-captain with opening bowler Nathan Fitzgerald. All-rounder Rhys Jordan, after playing just two games last season, will be a welcome addition on a more regular basis. Woodside has a new captain in Tommy Baldock with Brad Collins stepping aside. Noah Bell returns from injury, while club legend Dave Wescombe will bring up his 400th game for the Warriors on Saturday at Nairne. Daniel Jenner will continue as skipper at Hahndorf with the Magpies looking to continue the development of their young players through their A2 team into ‘A’ grade ranks. Macclesfield will be without David Caddle, Kieran O’Connell and Lachlan Barrett who have moved to new clubs, while Tom Filsell will continue his captaincy role. The Redbacks will expect Josh Lewis-Burns, Connor Moore and Luke Jones to step up and help bring the younger players through.

Round 1 (home team named first)

Nairne v Woodside

Macclesfield v Strathalbyn

Langhorne Creek v Bremer Callington

Hahndorf v Lobethal