Trio in tough fight for one-day decider spot

Three teams will battle for one spot in the one-day final as the last round of Division 1 limited overs fixtures completes the points table and placings.

Sunshine Coast Division 1 cricket action in Tewantin between Tewantin/Noosa and Maroochydore. Scott Aufderheide. Picture: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

Three teams will battle for one spot in the one-day final as the last round of Division 1 limited overs fixtures completes the points table and placings.

Caboolture has already booked the venue, as a lead of a dozen points assures the Snakes of a home game, while Glasshouse, Maroochydore and Tewantin-Noosa, on 32, 31 and 29 points respectively can each gain the second placing.

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The hardest challenge will be for Tewantin, for the Thunder need not only to defeat Caboolture at Grant Road, but also wish the worst for its rivals, because a win by either ends their campaign.

Seemingly out of contention with a mediocre first four rounds gaining just one win, the Thunder hit back with two double bonus point victories last weekend to resurrect the hopes of the T20 champions.

Against Caboolture the visitors’ chances will be lifted by the absence of an injured Glen Batticciotto, the leading competition batsman with 688 runs already, and the linchpin of a sometimes shaky Snakes’ line-up.

Apart from skipper Matt Schubert and Jayden Coffin, no other batsman has passed 40 in an innings, and Coffin is now sidelined with an ACL tear as well.

But never will the Snakes be easily overcome at home.

Tewantin’s other threats are still large, as their rivals have lower placed opponents to face.

Maroochydore’s Callum Stitt. Picture: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

Maroochydore meets Coolum at Kev Hackney Oval, and will be looking for bonus points to possibly pass or at least equal the Rangers, who are a single point ahead.

The Sharks have worried sides with the ball, but only really dominated with the bat once, and they will face an attack that can grind down a batting line-up lacking confidence. Maroochydore will look to get runs quickly, chasing the fewer the better, with Callum Stitt and lower down Luke McInnes happy to oblige, so Coolum will have the task of batting out their 50 overs to force impatience in the chase, a quality that can lead to frustration facing tight bowling.

Glasshouse will regain the services of opening bowler Steve Heise as the Rangers travel to Caloundra, adding depth to the batting as well after the top order has lost some punch.

At least one bonus point must be the aim on a ground where runs are available, though the Lighthouses have the ability to score quickly, as was demonstrated by Wally Wright and Tom Cain against Gympie last Saturday.

With a balanced and very effective set of bowlers, Jeremy Schultz has been able to overcome some batting deficiencies, but Henzell Oval is a mecca for runs, and he must ensure the Rangers have the majority.

Gympie and Nambour are playing solely for premiership points at the Showgrounds, giving the teams the opportunity to look at the future with all day to bat.

The Cutters have missed the middle order stability of Nick Wallace, forcing greater

concentration from a lower order which should be now realising what they are capable of, if

they spend time at the crease.

Similarly for Gympie, whose fortunes have relied on the top four too often, then falling away quickly.

The Gold’s 214 against Nambour in Round 7 was a T20 record, but was passed only once in 50 overs in the one-dayers.

More perseverance will be needed from Round 15, so a full occupation of the allocated overs should be a goal.

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