McCrae has remained in London after his successful stint with Southport Trinity throughout the English summer. 

Hayden’s brother, and Helensburgh captain, Mitch admits that while he is happy with the way his side has performed throughout the opening few weeks of the season, Hayden’s arrival will provide an added boost to the Tigers batting lineup.

“He’s still working over in London but I’m hoping to get him back before Christmas and then have him for the rest of the season, but not sure exactly when he’ll be back yet.” McCrae said.

“It’d be nice to have him back, he’ll bat in the top order and strengthen it for sure.

“At the moment, we’re still pretty happy with what we’ve got, last week we didn’t do too well with the top order, but the middle and bottom order got us home.

“It will be nice to have him back, but we’re happy with what we’ve got at the moment.”

Despite Hayden’s absence, Mitch has done a solid job representing the McCrae family, scoring a brilliant 160 that featured eight boundaries in Helensburgh’s opening round victory over Corrimal. 

That innings came just a week after his 55 set the tone for a dominant Helensburgh run chase in the opening Twenty20 game of the season. 

Despite his hot start to the season, McCrae has credited the entire side for stepping up when required.

“I think we’ve shared the load a little bit so far. Last weekend we didn’t get off to a great start with both bat and ball, but we were able to chip in for each other, a few guys really stepped up when we needed them to.”

Such has been the form of McCrae and the Helensburgh team as a whole, Wollongong captain Dave Studholme has labelled the Tigers the team to beat.

“They’re pretty strong all around with the bat and ball, I think they’re probably the best team in the competition.” Studholme said. 

The Tigers were expected to play Wollongong on Saturday in the first two-day game of the season, but Friday’s rain wreaked havoc with those plans. Barring any further wet weather, the two teams will instead face off in a 50 over game next Saturday. 

When the two teams eventually do play, Studholme will do everything he can to remove McCrae before he can inflict any pain with the bat.

“Mitch McCrae is the key to their batting lineup, if we can get him out nice and early, it’s a bonus.”

The only match that has remained unaffected by the rain is University versus Northern Districts at University Oval. That match will remain a two-day affair, with Saturday’s opening day set to be followed by day two next Saturday. 

All other round three matches will be reduced to 50 over games that will be played next Saturday.