REIGNING Barossa & Light A1 cricket premiers South Gawler will be looking to get its two-day title defence off to the perfect start when it commences its 2019/20 season opener away against Mallala this Saturday.
After coming so close to success in 2016/17 and 2017/18 – the latter falling short in the grand final – the Lions finally broke through for their elusive premiership last summer by knocking off arch-rival Angaston in the decider.
South’s two-day campaign was anchored by run machine Chris Graser (426 runs at 47) and Rob McCard (299 runs at 37), with the latter also collecting 24 wickets that included best figures of 6/19.
They will both be important figures again for the Lions.
Mallala, on the other hand, didn’t have the worst season – scoring five wins to finish only one victory outside the top four – but still ended the summer second bottom on the ladder.
Jake Birchmore and Brad Wilson led the batting with 236 and 217 runs, respectively, for the Magpies in the two-day competition, while Jamie Good had a solid year with the ball, collecting 21 wickets.
Mallala will need a few more batsmen to get amongst the runs this season if it is to break into finals contention, and win this weekend’s clash against the Lions.
Meanwhile, Angaston will host Gilbert Valley in what is a tough first-up hit-out for the Bulls.
The Blues enjoyed some success last season, winning the one-day premiership in February by knocking off South Gawler, but fell just short of the ultimate prize – the two-day title – only a month later.
The team, which is a regular contender, will certainly be looking for redemption this summer.
Angaston’s 2018/19 campaign was spearheaded by skipper Greg Bain, who plundered an association-high 482 two-day runs at an impressive average of 53.
Brett Woodards was the star with the ball, collecting 30 wickets at a brilliant average of 9.97.
Similarly, last summer’s semi-finalists Sandy Creek will be aiming to notch an early win when it hosts Tanunda.
The Cockatoos have been training since July, indicating just how keen they are to achieve success in 2019/20.
Dynamite all-rounder Jamie Diener will again be one to watch, having recently represented Australia at the Trans-Tasman Indoor Cricket Test Series against New Zealand.
Lastly, newly-promoted Nuriootpa will be hoping to return to A1 with a bang when it hosts Freeling.
The team replaces Kapunda in the top tier, after the latter was relegated to A1-reserves after finishing last summer in bottom place with only two wins.