PAYNEY REVEALS 2019 PLANS

THE Townsville Fire’s topfour ambitions have suffered a major setback following last night’s 85- 70 defeat to the Adelaide Lightning without captain Suzy Batkovic.

Back to back three- pointers by Fire guard and standin captain Micaela Cocks ( pictured) got the home side to within six points of Adelaide, but the Lightning ran off with the crucial win by outscoring the Fire 11 points to two in the run home.

The Fire struggled to reach full service without Batkovic, who missed an WNBL clash for the first time in 142 games.

The Fire ( 5- 7) are now two wins adrift of Adelaide ( 7- 6) in fourth place although they have already claimed the series split after winning their previous two clashes with the Lightning.

It was a hot start from both teams at Townsville Stadium last night as they traded the advantage before a 9- 0 scoring run saw the Lightning pull away.

FULL STORY: PAGE 62

QUICK CAMEO: Australian batsman Shaun Marsh walks back to the dressing room after his dismissal yesterday and ( inset) Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin ( right) celebrates one of his three wickets.