Three- way battle for finals berths

A THREE- way race for finals starts today as Wests, Brothers and Saints enter the decisive phase of Townsville Cricket’s two- day competition.

The trio are separated by a spread of less than 10 competition points with two rounds remaining until finals cricket, and only two can make the allimportant top three given that Suburban Parks have already secured top spot.

Wests ( second) and Saints ( third) looked assured of finals after Christmas, but a run of results from fourth- placed Brothers has thrown the race wide open.

Wests take on Norths today at Mick Downey Oval, Brothers host Wanderers at John McCulloch Oval and Saints take on Sub Parks at JCU Oval.

Defending two- day champions Saints face a must- win game if they are to halt the Brethren’s charge, with Brothers trailing by just five competition points.

Adding to the challenge is the fact Saints and Sub Parks clash less than a day after playing each other overnight in the Townsville Cricket Twenty20 final, with Sub Parks chasing down the 141 total thanks to some late batting heroics from Justin Dixon.

Sub Parks have no intent to ease off despite sealing a grand final berth, even after last night’s T20 decider.

“We smashed a team in a Friday night Twenty20 game and then lost the next day, bowled out for 140 from making poor shots,” Sub Parks’ bowler Dixon ( pictured) said.

“It takes a bit of adjusting, , but hopefully we’re good d enough to overcome ( short turnaround).”

Brothers have not suffered a two- day loss this year, with their last defeat coming against Sub Parks in December.

The Brethren’s form will undoubtedly give them confidence heading into their encounter against Wanderers, who have scored just the one win this season. All matches are due to s start today at 12.30pm. that