The Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ‘A’ grade competition gets underway this Saturday with 10 teams chasing premiership glory. The ‘A’ grade competition has seen one change to its lineup with Aldinga moving back to ‘B’ grade and Victor Harbor returning to ‘A’ grade ranks after a long absence from the top flight. The fixture will again feature a mix of one-day games (40 overs) and two-day games (70 overs) in a 12-game minor round. 

Reigning premier Noarlunga kicks off their season with a Grand Final rematch at home against Port Elliot. After nine seasons and three premierships, Jason Scarff has stepped down as captain of the Shoes. Scarff has been replaced by Chad Parrish, formerly of Brighton Cricket Club. 2022/23 minor premiers Goolwa will also have a new skipper with Sam Carlyle taking over from Jayden Crees. Goolwa will travel to Willunga in round one to face the Demons who surprisingly missed finals action last season. Luke Harding is back in charge of the Demons after stepping aside as skipper last season. 

Victor Harbor will be welcomed back to ‘A’ grade ranks with a trip to last season’s surprise packet Myponga-Sellicks. The Mudlarks impressed after coming up from the ‘B’ grade competition last season, making the finals before bowing out to eventual champions Noarlunga in a hard-fought semi-final. Two sides looking for sharp improvement from 2022/23 are Mount Compass and Yankalilla who clash at the picturesque Burgess Oval, while McLaren Districts host Encounter Bay at McLaren Flat in a rematch of their 2022/23 semi-final.

Round 1 fixtures (one-day games)

Myponga-Sellicks v Victor Harbor (Myponga)

McLaren Districts v Encounter Bay (McLaren Flat)

Noarlunga v Port Elliot (Old Noarlunga)

Willunga v Goolwa (Willunga)

Mount Compass v Yankalilla (Burgess Oval - Mount Compass)