The Victoria Bushrangers and New South Wales Blues will battle it out for a spot in the final when they meet at Traeger Park in Alice Springs to close the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield season. Join The Roar for score updates from 11:30am (AEDT).
The Bushrangers have lost their last two matches – a thrashing at the hands of bottom-placed Tasmania and most recently going down by 100 runs to Queensland.
However they will be boosted by the return of skipper Matthew Wade, who sat out last week’s fixture due to the birth of his first child.
Wade’s inclusion sees both Sam Harper and Jake Reed omitted from David Saker’s 12-man squad.
Spinner Jon Holland will look to capitalise on the dry wicket as he hopes to emulate his 11-wicket haul in two matches at Traeger Park last year.
NSW are coming off a seven-wicket win over the Tigers in Hobart, Harry Conway taking five wickets in under 14 overs on debut.
Trent Copeland also stood out, bowling for 23 overs in the second innings, piecing together seven wickets for just 58 runs.
The Blues managed to hold off a Jackson Bird masterclass after the fast bowler topped the Tasmanian attack in both innings, taking 7-45 and 3-47 respectively.
NSW have made only one change, with Nick Larkin travelling to the top end in a 13-man squad.
Last time the two teams met was back in Round 2, when the match was abandoned due to unsafe playing conditions. Victoria, the visiting team, were awarded full points in accordance with Sheffield Shield rules.
Prediction
Victoria will hold on and book a spot in the final
Join The Roar for score updates from 11:30am (AEDT), and comment below if you’re watching the match.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
Could be useful in the sub continent or on seaming green decks in England. However, Sayers is ahead of him in that role.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
Interesting point. I have noticed his high backlift, not sure if that is connected. Batsmen often get "figured out" by good bowlers after a season or two of good form. Hopefully he puts in the hard work and makes any technique adqustments required to get back to form next season (or hopefully scores a big ton in the final!)
SW
Guest
How long does this match have to go?
Maggie
Guest
"Me too" re revenge on the Vics would be sweet after their gift of 6 points for that abandoned SCG match. As someone associated with the SCG said, there is a reason the Vics are called the "Bushrangers".
Pepper Jack
Guest
Caters and Patterson have both played well since the break Copeland, Hazlewood and Starc sounds like a pretty good Test attack
Martyn50
Guest
Never thought that as a South Aussie I would be hoping for a vic win to get a SA home final
Peter
Guest
It's definitely confirmed as Coffs Harbour if (when) NSW win today, and your suggestion re Vic points earlier is a good reason to back the Blues :) nothing like sporting revenge!
Craig Swanson
Guest
There has been one constant in this Blues late season fight back...Ryan Carters. He has figured in several crucial partnerships with great backs to the wall, never say die cricket. Is underated IMHO. Should make the A tour this year.
Craig Swanson
Guest
"What do we do about a problem like Maddinson"? He must be a coach's nitemare fair dinkum. He does not seem to be able to know when to attack and when to defend. He is either stonewalling or throwing the kitchen sink at everything. His coach needs to sit down with him and have a good long talk about discipline.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Remember the Vics got a head start on us when we were denied any points from that abandoned game. How unfair was that. So it has been a case of playing catch up all season. Seven more Bushie wickets Blues and you have a home final. Where will they play it. SCG, Coffs perhaps?
Craig Swanson
Guest
Not sure if you blokes have noticed. IMHO Handscomb has footwork issues. He often does not complete the back and across trigger movement. He sometimes only goes back. Leaving himself vulnerable to the straight ball. Is an LB waiting to happen. Has been caught behind quite a lot this season as good bowlers work on this deficiency.
Craig Swanson
Guest
How good a cricketer is Copeland. Runs when the Blues need them wickets when the Blues need them. My smokie for international honors this year. Possibly on an A tour.
Peter
Guest
How cool that it will come down to the very last day of the season to determine the finalists. Great contest and fine 4 day cricket, love it! Go the Blues!!
Dave
Guest
Yes Copes!, Great start and got NSW back in the match again with both batting and bowling....be nice if he could get his "Baggy Green" back out one day soon.
Pepper Jack
Guest
In Vic are chasing 300, it will be tough to chase down on a dry pitch with 2 spinners and the form Copeland is in
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
Really disapppinted in Handscomb's last few matches. Vics need him to stand up and be consistent throughout the season. If the Vics don't make the final it will be because of the collective failure of our batsmen over the last three shield games of the season.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Maddinson fails again. How many runs has he scored in the last 2-3 games? Patterson and Carters did well. Lyon, 75 off 46, WTF? Handscomb fails again, when he needs run to push his case. Wade fails. Copeland 12 overs 1 for 9, crickey.
Pepper Jack
Guest
Only two are up to first class standard. MCG is getting ready for the AFL and work is being done at Junction Oval. SA are playing in Glenelg, NSW played in Coffs Harbour a few weeks ago. It's up to Cricket Victoria to improve the venues in metro and country Victoria
Mexicano
Guest
Why is this game being played literally in the middle of nowhere? Melbourne and Victoria is full of cricket grounds. Surely there is one available? In the meantime, good luck promoting cricket to the population in Alice Springs, a population similar to Warrnambool. The difference being The Bool has a lot of population centres greater than 100,000 within easy driving distance. Come on Cricket Australia wake up and smell the coffee.