We look at the remaining finals scenarios as we hit the business end of the tournament
Matador Cup: The final countdown
We’re now getting to the business end of the three-week Matador BBQs One-Day cup with just three round matches remaining before the finals begin on Friday.
The star-studded NSW Blues have already booked a spot in the big dance on Sunday, but the race is well and truly on to decide who will meet them at North Sydney Oval.
Here’s a rundown of each team and their current situation with just two days left of round matches in the domestic one-day competition.
NSW Blues
The Blues can rest up and prepare for Sunday’s final at North Sydney after a near-perfect run through the tournament that was ruined by the 21-run defeat to the Victorians on Sunday.
NSW will be hoping to see the return of captain Steve Smith after he was rested to manage some knee soreness yesterday, while a decision will have to be made as to whether or not they pursue with spin twins Nathan Lyon and Stephen O’Keefe on the tiny suburban venue, or recall talented seamer Gurinder Sandhu.
State of play: Booked a spot in Sunday’s final. In case you didn’t know, you could be there too at just $10 for an adult ticket.
Next stop: Sunday against the winner of the elimination final, live on GEM and cricket.com.au.
Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers
It’s a pretty simple equation for Matthew Wade’s men; beat Tasmania at North Sydney Oval tomorrow and book a place in the elimination final, or lose and put your fate in the hands of the Redbacks.
Victoria were talking titles before the season commenced and anything short of a final match-up against the Blues back at NSO would be considered a disappointment.
WATCH: Hastings gives NSW the Blues
They’ll now need to overcome the Tigers without star allrounder Glenn Maxwell after he was handed a one-match team suspension for missing a recovery session Monday morning.
State of play: Can secure a spot in the elimination final with a win over the Tigers on Tuesday. If they lose, the Vics could still make it if Cricket Australia XI can pull off an upset over South Australia.
Next stop: Tuesday against Tasmania at North Sydney Oval, live on GEM and cricket.com.au.
Tasmanian Tigers
Not many predicted Tasmania would be in the running for a finals berth when they became the CA XI’s first scalp in the competition, but coach Dan Marsh has rallied his troops superbly to see them within reach of a spot in the finals.
Their win over the Warriors on Saturday was vital and they’ll be hoping to carry some momentum into tomorrow’s clash against the Vics.
State of play: Defeat the Bushrangers and lock in their place for Friday’s elimination final at Drummoyne Oval, or lose and hope the young guns can make it two wins for the tournament against the Redbacks on Wednesday. Things will get complicated if rain ruins a result – although that seems highly unlikely – or there’s a tie and the teams split the points to move to 16 each, four more than the men in red.
Next stop: Tuesday against Victoria at North Sydney Oval, live on GEM and cricket.com.au.
West End Redbacks
Speaking of surprise packets, the Redbacks have already recorded more wins this season than the previous two combined and will almost certainly extend their one-day season with a win over the CA XI despite an appalling Net Run Rate.
Skipper Travis Head and his teammates have pulled off three gritty wins over WA, Queensland and Victoria on the back of a new-found belief that they can win from any position under new coach Jamie Siddons.
WATCH: Rollicking Ross rolls Bulls
State of play: A win on Wednesday will almost certainly get them through, however the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting an 80 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. A ‘No Result’ would see them miss out and a potential downpour will no doubt be playing on their minds.
Next stop: Wednesday against CA XI at Bankstown Oval, free live stream on cricket.com.au.
myFootDr Queensland Bulls
The Bulls now have two wins on the board after their 34-run victory over the youngsters at Drummoyne Oval today and remain a mathematical chance to sneak into the finals.
PLENTY needs to go right for the team from up north to steal a finals spot, but they say cricket is a funny game, right?
WATCH: Captain Khawaja leads from the front
State of play: The Bulls would firstly need a thrashing in tomorrow’s match between Victoria and Tasmania, then rely on CA XI beating SA, as well as producing a flogging of their own over WA to earn two bonus points and a massive boost in their NRR. Yeah, it seems unlikely.
Next stop: Wednesday against WA at Drummoyne Oval, live on GEM and cricket.com.au.
Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors
It’s been an incredibly disappointing season for the defending champs, with their pride on the line in their final match against Queensland.
While the team has no hope of making the finals, the likes of Shaun Marsh, Cameron Bancroft and Adam Voges will all be looking to impress ahead of the Commonwealth Bank Test Series, and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is set for his second match of the tournament as he ramps up his workload for the summer.
State of play: This team is far better than a one-win line-up…
Next stop: Wednesday against Queensland at Drummoyne Oval, live on GEM and cricket.com.au.
Cricket Australia XI
The team of young guns and fringe state players have copped some monumental floggings, surprised a few naysayers and ultimately put some names up in lights that would have otherwise been languishing in the nets or in grade cricket around the country.
It’s hard to see the brains trust at CA being disappointed with what they’ve seen in the first year of a two-year trial, and coach Troy Cooley will be determined to finish on a strong note against South Australia.
WATCH: Cartwright cracks stunning 99
State of play: They’ve won one more game than most would have predicted, but can they spoil South Australia’s finals hopes with another upset victory to cap off their season?
Next stop: Wednesday against SA at Bankstown Oval, free live stream on cricket.com.au.