Three teams, one spot, one round to go, who makes the one day cup final

With one round to go, three teams are fighting for second place and a shot at Cricket Gold Coast’s first lot of silverware for the 2023/24 season.

It all comes down to the final round of Cricket Gold Coast’s one day format as three teams chase second spot and a chance at the first bit of silverware for 2023/24 season.

Palm Beach currently sit second, a game clear of Surfers Paradise and Helensvale with arguably the easiest game out of the three teams in the final round.

The PBC Lions will clash with 10th placed Coomera Hope Island whose only two wins this season have come against ninth placed Southport and last placed Runaway Bay.

While Surfers Paradise will come up against Southport and will likely welcome back skipper Claye Beams to their side.

It is Helensvale who have the toughest contest of the three, sitting fourth, a game and 0.738 net run rate behind Palm Beach, they will take on sixth placed Queens who are just one game behind them.

Teams from premier first grade will play their second two day match on Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10 before the final one day cup match on Saturday December 16.

The matches to watch and players who can change the match.

Coomera Hope Island (10th) v Palm Beach (2nd) – Oxenford Oval

Premier First Grade - Southport vs. Palm Beach. 2 December 2023 Arundel Picture by Richard Gosling

If Palm Beach win:

Palm Beach will lock down second spot and will play Mudgeeraba in the One Day Cup final.

If Palm Beach lose:

They could drop to fourth and miss out on the first final of the season if Surfers Paradise or Helensvale win.

Dangerous players:

Cody Durante – 462 runs at 92.4

Currently the most inform bat of the competition and the skipper is leading by example for his side. A couple of times this season he has been the saviour and expect him to stand up again in a big game.

Jared Neuhaus – 331 runs at 41.38

An up and down start to the season but found some form over recent weeks. Expect Palm Beach’s opening bat to stand up for a big score and set the tone for his side.

What Palm Beach said:

“Cricket is a funny game and you never know what might happen, we are focusing one week at a time but when we play Coomera, we won’t be taking them lightly that’s for sure,” Durante said.

“Because we have a younger group we are a bit of an underdog this season compared to the clubs that do have those mature players running around, which in term is a very good thing.”

Surfers Paradise (3rd) v Southport (9th) – Bruce Small Park

Surfers Paradise players celebrate a wicket Helensvale v Surfers Paradise premier first grade at Hession Oval Sunday November 12, 2023. Picture, John Gass

If Surfers Paradise win:

They could jump to second spot and will take on Mudgeeraba in the One Day Cup Final, but will need Coomera Hope Island to defeat Palm Beach

If Surfers Paradise lose:

They could drop as low as fourth on the one day ladder and will miss out at the first chance of silverware this season.

Dangerous players:

Jack Charlton – 20 wickets at 11.8

Charlton is Surfers’ most inform bowler this season, sitting second overall on the wicket tally. He has hit his straps in the last four rounds, claiming 10 wickets from 30 overs. If he gets it right against Southport, the game could well and truly be over early

Aaron Densley – 223 runs at 37.17

A consistent year of getting starts for Densley, he is primed for a big score to get his season truly under way. With skipper Claye Beams coming back into the side, expect him to play with a bit more freedom with the bat.

What Surfers Paradise said:

“We will welcome back a few players, we will have a full strength side against Southport which will be very good,” stand in skipper, Densley said

“Won’t be taking Southport lightly, they have some very good players and they can very easily take a game away from you.”

Helensvale (4th) v Queens (6th) – Hession Oval

Helensvale batsman Ryan Walker Helensvale v Surfers Paradise premier first grade at Hession Oval Sunday November 12, 2023. Picture, John Gass

If Helensvale win:

A win could see them jump to second spot and face off in what has been deemed a grand final preview in both the one and two day formats against Mudgeeraba, but things will need to go their way.

If Helensvale lose:

Plain and simple, no one day cup final opportunity and back to focusing on winning the two day final come end of the season.

Dangerous players:

Jack Lickiss – 398 runs at 56.86

Definitely one of the most inform players of the competition, Lickiss knows what it takes to win a premiership and will look to stand up in the final round and potential the final.

Matthew Phillips – 14 wickets at 15.07

Helensvale’s leading wicket taker this season in the one day format, Phillips has shown consistency with the ball and will be the man to lead the charge if they are to chase the one day cup glory.

What Helensvale said:

“We have had a couple games go against us, that is cricket, it does happen sometimes,” captain Kaleb Day said.

“Queens are a really strong side, but we will take some confidence into the match after the win against Burleigh on Saturday.”