CRICKET: TCI BATTLE RESUMES

METROPOLITAN-EASTS will be hoping the festive break has brought about a change of fortune when the TCI A-grade open competition resumes today.

The Trojans have been luckless in the two-day format so far this season and are yet to win a game.

And they face an intimidating first game back against two-time defending champions Northern Brothers Diggers at Rockville Park.

Diggers are unbeaten in two-day games since the 2010/11 season and they haven’t lost a game in any format this summer.

Mets-Easts made the one-day final earlier this season and will be hoping to rediscover that form in the longer format.

Meanwhile, Souths will also be chasing their first two-day win against Railways at Heritage Oval.

The Bulldogs have been the surprise packet of the open competition, starting their season with a win over Met-Easts.

Souths have failed to fire in the early rounds and will need a much-improved effort to knock off Railways.

Finally, Wests and University will be out to cement their places in the top three at Captain Cook Oval.

Second-placed Uni and third-placed Wests are both playing some excellent cricket and the winner of their round four clash will move a step closer to a finals berth.

The Students have all-rounder Tom Carty coming off a first innings haul of 8-50 before the break while Wests skipper Brian May posted his highest knock of the summer with 158.