DON’T expect Michael Cranmer to play Drakes League cricket with anyone else but Hoylandswaine.

The 24-year-old Australian all-rounder from the well respected East Torrens club in Adelaide has become a fixture at Haigh Lane in the past three years and he likes it that way.

“I got on beautifully with all the boys right from the start and we’re very competitive, so it’s all good,” said the man who played for Australia at Under 19 level in the 2008 World Cup.

“I’m a pretty loyal bloke and I’ve played for the same club all my life back home and I want to keep it the same here.”

Cranmer didn’t do as much bowling in the South Australian season as normal, but he powered to 650 runs (their season is nowhere near as long as the Drakes) and he’s back on the radar at the Adelaide Oval.

He has already played for South Australia in the second XI and made two first-team appearances in their one-day competition, alongside squad members like Graham Manou, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Cameron Borgas, Dan Christian and Shaun Tait.

“I was in the squad for a couple of years and it would be nice to try and get back there, which was why I was delighted to pile up the runs at home last season and get some wickets as well,” he explained. “My thoughts just now, though, are about doing well for Hoylandswaine and, while it might be difficult because of the start we’ve made, we want to be competitive and challenge in the Premiership as strongly as we can.

“We are in three Cup competitions as well with the Sykes Cup, Black Sheep and T/20, so there is plenty to play for and I think we can do well. It would certainly be nice to win things again.”