Race for place in DDBBL finals
CRICKET: With three spots on the line, five franchises are still a chance of progressing through to the post-season.
The Livewired Lightning are the defending premiers, but after a heavy defeat prior to the Bulls Masters weekend, find themselves needing a win and results to go their way to defend their crown.
Co-owner Grant Spies said his side knows the task in front of them coming into the deciding round.
“Things are going really good. The boys are keen,”
Spies said.
“We’ve had a few chats on Messenger and everyone is aware of the situation now. We need a big win this weekend to make sure we can propel ourselves up the ladder.
“We don’t like to leave things to chance. We’re aiming for a big win if we can, and if other results can fall our way, that will help us.”
While the prospect of backto-back DDBBL titles is appealing, Spies said the opportunity to be involved in the competition has been reward enough.
“It would be awesome to win again, but we just love being a part of the whole thing,” he said.
“It was amazing, but we’re just hoping to get out there and play some good cricket.
“When the idea came up, Kent (Reimers), the commissioner as we call him, approached us, and we knew it would be something exciting and new for the region and would boost the exposure of Toowoomba cricket.”
The Rockets and Aztecs are currently in prime position for the minor premiership, with both sides sitting on three wins, however a superior net run rate means a win over the Lightning would be enough for the Rockets to take top spot.
An average NRR for the Aztecs means they need to win to guarantee a top-three spot, otherwise they will need results to go their way.
All three games of final round take place at Toowoomba Grammar tomorrow from 2pm.
BEST CASE SCENARIOS
1. Rockets, 3-1, 0.500% NRR – A win should be enough to give them the minor premiership and a ticket to the grand final.
2. Aztecs, 3-1, 0.1922% – A win ensures a finals berth, a win and a Rockets loss gives them top spot, while a loss needs them relying on the Raptors losing and the Lightning not having a big win.
3. Knight Riders, 2-2, 0.9744% – A win sees them secure a top three spot, a win with a Rockets loss sees them take the minor premiership, a loss and a Raptors win sees them miss out, a huge loss and huge Lightning win sees them miss the finals.
4. Raptors, 2-2, 0.5644% – Sitting in a good position. Will overtake the Aztecs (with NRR improvement) or Knight Riders if they are able to beat the Blazers.
5. Lightning, 2-2, -0.8764% – A win and losses to the Knight Riders and Raptors sees them make the finals. Otherwise they are relying on a huge win to overturn net run rates.
6. Blazers, 0-4, -1.2733% – Can’t move from sixth. FIXTURES
Knight Riders vs Aztecs at Barbour Oval; Blazers vs Raptors at Mills Oval; Rockets vs Lightning at Old Boys’ Oval. Games at 2pm tomorrow
SEAN TEUMA