Finals spot on the line
Mets ready for battle with Wests
CRICKET: The race for third is well and truly on in the TCI Agrade competition approaching the final two rounds.
With Western Districts and Northern Brothers Diggers assured of a finals berth, third position comes down to University and Metropolitan-Easts.
University claimed a key victory over the Trojans last weekend to edge themselves nine points clear, and Mets know they have a mountain to climb.
They require strong showings in their final two outings, starting with Western Districts tomorrow.
Wests have taken all before them, including producing out the only outright victory of the season last weekend, and Mets captain Ross Milton knows the danger they pose.
“They’ve shown for years they’re a complete side,” Milton said.
“They’ve been undefeated all season which indicates that they are a complete unit.
“Despite that, we certainly think we have the ability to beat them. There’s no point in talking about finals if we don’t think we can.
“We need to bat well and post a competitive total, so we can be a chance to bowl them out.
“Jack Carter will be a big part of that bowling attack, especially with Peter van der Kooij out injured.”
In other games, University can all-but secure their spot in the finals if they can knock off Northern Brothers Diggers at Heritage Oval, while Highfields-Railways and Southern Districts will search for their first win of the season when they face off at Highfields Sports Park.
TWENTY20 GETS TO THE POINTY END OF THE SEASON
METROPOLITAN-EASTS will kick-start their key weekend tonight when they take on Northern Brothers Diggers in the preliminary final of the TCI T20 competition.
The winner of tonight’s fixture at Heritage Oval will take on University in next week’s final, and Milton believes this is their best chance to get the job done.
“It’s been a long time since Mets made the T20 finals, but we’ve been playing pretty good cricket in that format,” he said.
“It certainly will be tough as Diggers always turn up in the finals. It is a pretty unpredictable game, and we won’t underestimate them.”
Play commences at 6.30pm.