Weather watch as two teams race vie final

Celtic and Marlborough Academy's cricketers will be keeping a close eye on the sky tomorrow as they prepare for the final round of Grove Tavern two-day championship play at Horton Park.

Last Saturday, Wairau ensured they will take top qualifying position into the March 20-21 final, but the race for who will join them is wide open.

With rain and showers forecast for tomorrow, Celtic hold the inside running with a seven-point lead on the competition table over Academy.

Celtic's chances received an unexpected boost late this week after the Marlborough Cricket Association made an amendment to the competition points. Celtic received an extra point after it was determined a misreading of the rules meant they received one fewer point than they should have from last Saturday's loss to Wairau.

Celtic not only hold a handy lead on the points table over Academy but also have the easier match-up on the park, scheduled to meet bottom-placed Wairau Valley on Horton Park No1.

Academy will face in-form Wairau on the No2 pitch.

After a feeble batting effort saw them routed for 60 last week against Wairau, Celtic skipper Greg Hegglun said the onus would be on his side's batsmen this week.

"Basically we just want a win and we're not going to worry much about the other game. We've got to rectify our batting from the last game, bat some time and score some runs."

Celtic will enter the match without batsman Matt Murphy, who has again succumbed to a lingering knee injury, and Tim Warner who picked up an injury last night at practice.

Karl Fitzpatrick returns to the team. A replacement for Warner is yet to be confirmed though Ben Blackman, released by Academy for tomorrow, is a likely candidate.

Wairau Valley line up without youngsters Matt McCormick and Josh Tautari tomorrow. Their places will be taken by Simon Muir and former Valley regular Logan Boyce.

Academy will look to carry their winning form from last weekend through to their must-win clash with Wairau. They will be boosted by the return of skipper Ben Wheeler after a week away training with the New Zealand under-19 squad, while Brendon Diamanti remains available and could take on an expanded bowling role as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Wheeler comes into the team for Blackman, while spinner Ryan Maguire is unavailable, his place taken by Rohan Prasad.

Wairau's batting depth will be tested, with both Bryce Smith and the in-form Colin Wood unavailable. Josh Heath and Ben Stark come into the side and will add bowling depth. Both matches will be played under English Rules and start at noon.

- © Fairfax NZ News