SACA Premier League set to kick off for second season this weekend

EASTERN Edge’s Travis Head has thrown down the gauntlet to his Premier League cricket rivals, saying his side is well placed to win the competition again.

EASTERN Edge’s Travis Head has thrown down the gauntlet to the other Premier League teams, saying his side is well placed to win the competition again.

The SA Cricket Association established the Premier League and four Adelaide-based composite teams last year in a bid to bridge the gap between the Grade competition and the Redbacks.

The Edge won the inaugural Premier League Cup, finishing unbeaten from nine games, and Head said his side was eyeing back-to-back titles.

“We’ve got a really strong side,” said Head, also a top-order batsman for Tea Tree Gully and the Redbacks.

“If you asked anyone at the start of the tournament last year we probably would’ve went in as favourites and we played like that.

“It’s a new year now and I know that the other teams have picked up a few players.

“The pressure’s on us to see if we can do it again but I’m sure the boys are up for it.”

The season kicks off tomorrow with one match in the western parklands and two in Darwin.

Six sides (the Edge, Western Grit, Northern Mavericks, Southern Force, Papua New Guinea and Northern Territory) will compete for the Premier League Cup, in one and two-day matches.

Those same six teams, as well as the SA Outbacks and state under-19s, are playing in the league’s Twenty20 competition.

Head said the league was perfect preparation for the season for both first-class and Grade cricketers.