The distinctive sound of leather on willow will return to the Limestone Coast on Saturday when the first ball of the 2020-21 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield is bowled.

Anticipation is high for the 10-round competition and it will be a summer like no other.

After COVID-19 has swept around the world, the game has been forced to adapt to a ‘new normal’.

Players are not permitted to share equipment, while the umpires are the only ones allowed to touch the stumps.

But the change which will have the biggest impact on the game is in regards to ball maintenance.

Although shining the ball with sweat from particular parts of the body is allowed at first-class and international level, no sweat or saliva can be used in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association season.

How the ball-shining restrictions affect the contest between bat and ball in Limestone Coast conditions remains to be seen, but the battle for the prestigious Barber Shield is still expected to be closer than ever.

Little separated the six sides during a thrilling 2019-20 season, which went down to the wire.

But the class of North Sportsman’s proved decisive when it mattered most and secured back-to-back titles after a hard-fought grand final against East Gambier.

East eyes revenge on the Tigers and Alex Hentschke’s men will get the chance this weekend when the club hosts the grand final rematch at Scott Park.

The one-day game will be a spirited affair between the rivals with ball expected to dominate bat.

All three contests last summer were dictated by the bowlers and the previous white-ball battle was particularly spicy.

Chasing a small target of 88 for victory, only one Bulldog reached double figures as the side was cleaned up for just 42.

Declan Kenny was the chief destroyer with three wickets on that day and he is just one part of North’s fierce bowling line up.

Kenny, Tim Young and Nick McInerney run in hard with the new ball and all can produce a match-winning spell.

Young will be the biggest threat after he picked up 5/26 in last summer’s final.

East hopes its batting order can stand up led by Dion Stratford, who struck two centuries in 2019-20, but could not reach double figures against the Tigers.

The classy right-hander is not the only player to watch with Emerson Marks fresh off a career-best campaign, while Darren Whitehorn can also hang around.

However, North’s batsmen are also under pressure after it was the least prolific side in 2019-20.

All eyes will be on opener Jake Schutz, who has a history of batting time and building big scores, while the likes of McInerney, Aidan Thatcher and Mitch Lewis will strive for more consistent campaigns.

But they will be tested by a well-rounded Bulldogs’ bowling unit fronted by captain Hentschke.

The fast bowler is expected to take the new ball, before spinners Marks, Ben Hentschke and Kev Thomson get into their work.

East will try hard for success, but it will be a tall order as the side has not defeated the Tigers since 2010.

South and West Gambier hope to start their respective campaigns on a winning note at Malseed Park.

Both sides don’t hold back on the pitch and their previous face-off was unforgettable.

A total of 33 wickets fell during one action-packed day as the bowlers went berserk.

The Demons finished on the winning side on that occasion thanks to a 10-wicket match by Robert Drenthen.

Drenthen is not the only threat with the ball with David Vine, James Dunn, David Somerfield, Camron Jorgensen and Adam Kuhl all proven performers.

Many of these names can also hold their own with the bat and Somerfield will be the big wicket after he averaged 61 in one-day games last season.

The Roos also possess a lot of firepower and are led well by Richard Crute’s all-round skills.

West’s captain and his new-ball partner Sam Willis have happy memories of facing South after they both claimed a five-wicket haul last season.

The pair can also change games with their ballstriking ability at the crease, while the likes of Niall Easterbrook and Connor Prior will be keen to offer more support.

South starts as the favourite with the more settled team, but recent history suggests anything can happen between these two sides.

On paper the Penola and Mil Lel game at McCorquindale Park appears to be a one-sided match-up.

The Eagles secured the minor premiership last summer, while Mil Lel finished at the bottom of the ladder.

Last season’s encounter was also a simple win for Penola, but this season’s battle could be a different story.

The Eagles will be a new-look outfit with Mark Smith in charge after Jase Bateman, George Kidman, Kurt Evans and Logan Gibbs moved on from the club.

How Penola covers the departures remains to be seen, but Jack Miller’s Mil Lel side will sense an opportunity.

The likes of Jonathan Allcock, Carey Megaw and Daniel Justin will be keen to make an impression and can win games on their day.

But a lot of quality remains in the Eagles’ line up. Opening bowler Michael Waters will be hard to shake off with the new ball, while Jack Mullan can cause damage with the bat and his leg spin bowling.

A close battle could be in prospect and if Mil Lel starts strong, it can certainly make life more than difficult for a Penola side finding its feet.