Wests hold the aces
Cyclone the big enemy as Saints vie for place in grand final
SAINTS all- rounder Matt Burton is hopeful of getting enough cricket under his team’s belt to force its way into the Townsville Cricket grand final.
Saints and Wests are scheduled to clash in today’s semifinal at Tony Ireland Stadium, a venue known for its superb drainage and professional ground staff, but even then it may not be enough.
The tropical low brewing off the North Queensland coast, which is expected to make landfall tomorrow or the next day as Cyclone Debbie, will cancel today’s play if a cyclone watch is upgraded to a cyclone warning.
Wests will advance to next month’s decider if play is abandoned today and next weekend — a benefit Wests received from finishing the regular season in second place — but third- placed Saints are still holding out hope. Saints have to score a first- innings win to advance to their second grand final in as many years.
“The boys at Riverway do a great job and the covers have been on it all week,” Burton said. “The drainage is great, so I think we will play at least some cricket unless the cyclone hits us.
“It looks as though the biggest hurdle right now is having a cyclone warning, which means play has to be called off.
“We’re in a position we probably should never have got ourselves into — there were some games we should have won — but that’s our situation and we just have to deal with it and make the most of it.”
Burton said Saints would take confidence from their last- round encounter against Wests, which was abandoned, but not before Saints bowled out Wests for 141.
Saints also welcome back Brad Stout, Todd Schloss and Burton himself.
“We took some positives out of that first day, especially getting them for 140- odd on a good deck,” he said.
“It’s how we want to play and we’re going to try and up the ante a bit because we have to get that win on first innings.
“We’ll have strongest possible team as well and the rules have changed from last year when we hosted the semi over two straight days.
“Now it’s over the two weekends and that gives us every chance of playing enough cricket.”
Today’s match is due to start at 12.30pm.