AN 18-ROUND season of all one-day matches in the Emu Valley Cricket Association hits off on Saturday.

Division one has been reduced from 10 teams to nine following the departure of Maiden Gully Marist to the Castlemaine District Cricket Association.

United enters the season as the reigning premier and looks mighty tough to beat again, while in a positive for the competition the list of arrivals at clubs outweighs the departures.

Here's a look at how the nine division one teams are shaping up in 2020-21.

Captain - Ash Dixon.

Last season - 10^th (1-11-1).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Dean Comensoli (830), Ash Dixon (604), Daniel Dixon (393), Connor Bulger (325), Jakk Trenfield (309).

Arrivals - Travis Nolan, Ben Ross, Seb Olle, Nathan Nikolic.

Departures - Blake Hodgkiss.

Summary - Second season back in division one for the Cowboys, who are coming off the wooden spoon and just one win last year.

Added some experience to the batting line-up with the return of Travis Nolan, while keeper-batsman Ben Ross from Bagshot is also an arrival.

Left-arm bowler Seb Olle, who has previously played in the EVCA at California Gully, will be a handy addition to an attack that last season had crafty spinner Dean Comensoli as the only player to take more than 12 wickets.

"We have brought some experience into the side, which is a positive and the boys have all been training well, so we're looking forward to the season," new Cowboys coach Tim Knapman said.

ROUND 1 TEAM - Ash Dixon (c), Connor Bulger, Daniel Dixon, Zachary Knapman, Connar Lever, Nathan Nikolic, Travis Nolan, James O'Bryen, Ben Ross, Jakk Trenfield, Jesse Trenfield.

Captain - Marcus McKern.

Last season - 9^th (2-10-1).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Shaun O'Shea (747), Brad Webster (648), Marcus McKern (507), Jesse O'Connell (421), Bradley Olson (387).

Arrivals - Brodie McRae, Kansas Varker, Justin Bice.

Departures - Shaun O'Shea, Travis Nolan, Jeremy Blencowe.

Summary - Huntly-North Epsom premiership keeper-batsman Brodie McRae headlines the recruits at the Cobras, who have found the going tough since winning the flag in 2016-17.

A lack of a recognised wicket-keeper was a major hindrance for the Cobras last season, but they now have a class gloveman, as well as a top-order batsman with three BDCA first XI centuries with the addition of McRae.

The Cobras have also picked up Justin Bice, who has played with Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye, meaning their top four batsmen all have BDCA first XI experience - Bice, Jesse O'Connell, captain Marcus McKern and McRae.

Getting 2016-17 grand final hero Kansas Varker back to open the bowling is a big plus, but they do have a key departure in experienced all-rounder Shaun O'Shea (1366 runs, 164 wickets since 2011-12), who has headed to EVCA rival Spring Gully.

ROUND 1 TEAM - Bye.

Captain - Simon Marwood.

Last season - 2^nd (9-4-2).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Luke Bennett (977), Simon Marwood (649), Justin Hancock (586), Todd Brown (570), Torin Petrie (499).

Arrivals - Daniel Chamberlain, Trevor Pickthall.

Departures - Cobi Hansen.

Summary - The Emus were the EVCA's hard luck story last season, missing out on the chance to contest the grand final against United due to the coronavirus-caused cancellation and frustratingly having to settle for runner-up.

Have a new captain at the helm in gun all-rounder Simon Marwood and welcome back their 2012-13 premiership captain Daniel Chamberlain.

Keeper-batsman Trevor Pickthall has crossed to the Emus from Maiden Gully, joining a side that is hungry for redemption from last season.

"We think we should be competitive again... we've got the talent to be," Marwood said.

"We were disappointed we didn't get a crack at it last year in the grand final, so everyone is really motivated to do well."

ROUND 1 TEAM - Simon Marwood (c), Torin Petrie, Josh Martyn, Brent Downie, Luke Bennett, Todd Brown, Justin Hancock, Ben Lester, Trevor Pickthall, Tyson Webster, Dallas Widdicombe.

Captain - Matt Giri.

Last season - 6^th (4-7-2).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - James Pietromonaco (1095), James Bailey (530), Beau Roy-Clements (492), Corey Dickins (466), Shaun Candy (461).

Arrivals - Matt Giri, Brayden Coates.

Departures - Nil.

Summary - A huge boost to the batting for the Rangas with the return of explosive opening batsman Matt Giri, who will captain the side.

Since 2008-09 in the EVCA no player has scored more than Giri's 10 division one centuries and he's bound to be one of the competition's most prized wickets in his return after two seasons with Arnold.

The Rangas have also added all-rounder Brayden Coates from Waaia.

Mandurang has missed finals the past two seasons, but make no mistake - the Rangas are in it to win it this season.

"We're definitely going to be competitive and we're going after it," Giri said.

"The club has retained everyone from last season and with a couple of inclusions we're looking to well and truly be up there."

ROUND 1 TEAM - Matthew Giri (c), Linton Colclough, Stephen Barrett, Brayden Coates, James Pietromonaco, Corey Dickins, Mitchell Roberts, Jeremy Hancock, James Bailey, Shaun Candy.

Captain - David Blume.

Last season - 7^th (5-8).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - David Blume (768), Tom Wilson (704), Greg Toomey (662), Scott Ross (530), Adam Brown (346).

Arrivals - Alex Gorrie, Chris Dixon, Mark Blume, Jack Stagg.

Departures - Nil.

Summary - The Panthers have their sights set on breaking what is currently the EVCA's longest finals drought.

The Panthers haven't played finals since 2011-12 and haven't performed well in the one-day format in recent years, adding to their challenge this season.

Having made more than 2000 runs with Maiden Gully, top-order batsman Alex Gorrie is remaining in the EVCA having joined the Panthers, who have also added fellow batsman Chris Dixon.

All-rounders Mark Blume and Jack Stagg also join the Panthers.

"We've been middle-of-the-pack the past few years and lacked a bit in the batting, so getting Alex and Chris in will, hopefully, give us that lift that we need," coach Tom Wilson said.

ROUND 1 TEAM - David Blume (c), Andrew Gladstone, Scott Ross, Duane Anderson, Alex Gorrie, Tom Wilson, Jayden Laubsch, Christopher Dixon, Adam Brown, Ryan Murphy.

Captain - Jordan Ilsley.

Last season - 4^th (9-4-1).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Jordan Ilsley (1350), Greg Thomas (859), Scott McKenzie (668), Dustin Elliott (638), Andrew Sheehan (462).

Arrivals - Steven Stroobants, Tom Hart.

Departures - Nil.

Summary - The Rams enter the season as the best performed of the teams in the one-day format over the past four years with 13 wins from 16 games.

There looks to be minimal change to the side that finished fourth last season with no departures and the only arrivals being wicket-keeper Steven Stroobants and spinner/hard-hitting batsman Tom Hart from Bendigo.

One notable change though is a new captain in Jordan Ilsley, who is coming off one heck of a year last season when he combined 48 wickets with 370 runs.

This season though Ilsley is hoping for a far more even spread of wickets among the Rams' bowlers.

ROUND 1 TEAM - Jordan Ilsley (c), Quinton Bentley, Isaac Carracher, Alan Friswell, Tom Hart, Bailey Ilsley, Rick Ladson, Chris McCalman, Declan McMahon, Andrew Sheehan, Greg Thomas.

Captain - James Fox.

Last season - 3^rd (9-3-2).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Rhys Webb (1034), James Fox (839), Alex Sutton (726), Lachlan Brook (653), Nick Skeen (614).

Arrivals - Saheed Akolade, Shaun O'Shea, Beauden Rinaldi.

Departures - Nil.

Summary - The Crows were the best team of the home and away season last year, but were left to rue a missed opportunity when beaten by Emu Creek by one wicket in the semi-final.

Should be right in the thick of the action again given there are no departures, while they have three ins with the return of speedster Saheed Akolade, all-rounder Shaun O'Shea, plus batsman/spinner Beauden Rinaldi, who has BDCA first XI experience with Strathfieldsaye and has played lower grade Premier Cricket at Carlton.

In an early blow though for the Crows coach and run machine Rhys Webb (2428 over past four years) will have a delayed start to the season after recently hurting a knee.

ROUND 1 TEAM - James Fox (c), Jesse Marciano, Brannon Stanford, Joel Bish, Lachlan Brook, Byron Perrin, Thomas Perrin, Alex Sutton, Shaun O'Shea, Nick Skeen.

Captain - Harry Whittle.

Last season - 1^st (11-2-2).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Harry Whittle (1295), Joe Hartney (880), Mac Whittle (637), Patrick Hartney (609), Jarrod Starr (436).

Arrivals - Alex Code, Kane Goldsworthy, George Hartney, Rhys Roberts, Tom Pontell, Adrian Holland, James Smith.

Departures - Nil.

Summary - The Tigers certainly look well-placed for a tilt at back-to-back premierships given their productive off-season.

For starters, there are no departures from last year's premiership team, with the depth of their squad to be boosted by a host of recruits headed by former Golden Square batsman Alex Code.

Fresh from winning a drought-breaking flag with Elmore last season all-rounder Kane Goldsworthy is also headed to the Tigers, while their recruits also include a past premiership player in George Hartney returning.

The Tigers will again be led by the EVCA's reigning Cricketer of the Year in star all-rounder Harry Whittle, who given the one-day format won't be required to bowl himself into the ground like last season when he sent down 245 overs for his 41 wickets.

"We think with what we've recruited and the depth we've got, there's going to be a lot of healthy competition for spots and it's really going to give us the chance to reward those who put in the work," Tigers' chairman of selectors Pat Hartney said.

ROUND 1 TEAM - Harry Whittle (c), Alex Code, Kane Goldsworthy, Joe Hartney, Dooley Niemann, James Smith, Jarrod Starr, Mac Whittle, Broderick Williams, Troy Young, Tom Calvert.

Captain - Josh Kinsman.

Last season - 8^th (3-9-1).

Last season's Addy MVP top 5 - Tarran Kilcullen (791), Travis O'Connell (664), Shannon Murphy (420), Zac Makeham (396), Connor Robertson (363).

Arrivals - Bodee Scullie, Josh Eastley.

Departures - Nil.

Summary - Just the two inclusions for West Bendigo, but both are quality batsmen - Bodee Scullie and Josh Eastley.

Scullie has a wealth of BDCA first XI experience with Strathfieldsaye, including as a premiership player back in 2001, while Eastley from Woodend is not only an opening batsman, but has also opened the bowling for the Gisborne association at both Melbourne and Bendigo Country Week.

The Redbacks under new skipper Josh Kinsman are also excited by the further development of young pace bowler Tarran Kilcullen, who took 32 wickets last season and was also the EVCA's Under-21 Player of the Year, with he and batsman Connor Robertson being given some extra responsibility as vice-captains.

ROUND 1 TEAM - Joshua Kinsman (c), Travis O'Connell, Joshua Eastley, Connor Robertson, Zac Makeham, Bodee Scullie, Benjamin Derrick, Gurpreet Gary Singh, Tarran Kilcullen, Shannon Murphy, Josh Connolly.

1. United

2. Spring Gully

3. Emu Creek

4. Sedgwick

5. Mandurang

6. Marong

7. West Bendigo

8. California Gully

9. Axe Creek

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