With the test match bye out of the way, Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) competition resumes tomorrow when round eight gets underway. The match of the round sees a re-match of last seasons grand final between Hahndorf and Langhorne Creek at Hahndorf Oval. Hahndorf are currently undefeated and sit on top of the ladder while the reigning premier Langhorne Creek are in third spot with a 5-1 win-loss record. Hahndorf has very strong bowling stocks with Jarrad Tait (15 wickets), Benny Montgomerie (14) and Caleb Blesing (9) sitting inside the top 10 on the AEHCA wicket takers list this season. Veteran opening batsman Andrew Baker has been ultra consistent with the bat and has scored 239 runs at an average of 39.50. Langhorne Creek has struggled to get a settled lineup so to be sitting in third spot has been an excellent effort. Nathan Wundersitz leads the way with the bat having scored 137 runs at 27.40 while despite only playing three matches, Ben Warren has taken eight wickets at the miserly average of just 8.50.

There’s the prospect of another cracking top four match when Woodside (fourth) take on Strathalbyn (second) at Woodside Oval. Strathalbyn has been in great form with their only loss coming back in round five to Nairne. Skipper Mark Abbott has led from the front with 277 runs at an average of 69.25, including two centuries. He’s been well supported by Luke Cousins who has scored 184 runs at 36.80. Strathalbyn have a very good and varied bowling attack led by Matt Abbott (12 wickets), Brayden Gaiter (12) and Matt Hein (10), who all sit inside the top 10 on the AEHCA wicket takers list. Woodside has been a little bit inconsistent as their 4-3 record would suggest but their best is definitely good enough to threaten the top sides. Veteran Dave Wescombe has led the way for the Warriors with the bat, scoring 235 runs at 39.17 while recruit Will Worthington has been very consistent with 168 runs at an average of 42.00. Dale Robinson leads the association bowling with 15 wickets at 11.13 and he’s been well supported by Chris Baschiera with 10 wickets.

Local rivals Nairne and Mount Barker clash at Nairne Oval with the winner keeping their finals chances alive while the loser will struggle to make the major round. Both sides have a 2-4 win-loss record and sit two games outside the top four. New Nairne skipper Luke Timmins (202 runs) and veteran Richard Boscence (162 runs) have led the way with the bat to sit inside the top 10 run scorers in the association. Teenager Duncan Rogers, in his first season of ‘A’ grade, leads the Razorbacks bowling with seven wickets. Simon Turk has been an excellent recruit for the Kookaburras and leads the way with both bat (194 runs) and ball (seven wickets). Turk joined Mount Barker from Riverland club Renmark North this season.

Wistow will host an improving Lobethal outfit on the hill at Wistow. The Echidnas are yet to taste victory in season 2019/20 while the Tigers have hit their straps lately winning three games on the trot. Lobethal has been best served by Mitchell Weeks (140 runs) and skipper Ben Matthews (137 runs) in the batting stakes while Matt Martin has been excellent with the ball snaring 10 wickets at an average of just 13.90. It’s been tough going for a young Wistow side but they are well led by skipper Daniel Jenner who sits inside the top five run scorers in the AEHCA with 220 runs at an average of 36.67 while youngster Lachlan Elsworthy continues to improve with the ball and has taken nine wickets so far this season.

Bremer-Callington has the bye tomorrow and currently sit in eighth position with a 1-6 win-loss record. They have suffered through injury and player unavailability so far in 2019/20 but they hope to be more settled from now on. The Cobras have been well led by skipper Johnny Fitzgerald (159 runs) and Arsalan Eubaid (140 runs) while Mitchell Crisp leads the way with the ball with nine wickets.