Waratah v Nightcliff - Gardens Oval
After one of the closest one-day grand finals in DDCC history, Waratah and Nightcliff will go to battle in a blockbuster two-day semi final.
It was the Tigers who won the grand final, and when the sides met just over a month ago in the two-day regular season, the Tigers also won to take a 2-0 head-to-head advantage this season.
But the Warriors have been the better team overall in the long form competition with Udara Weerasinghe’s side finishing on top of the ladder following a convincing outright victory over Tracy Village last week.
The Tigers, on the other hand, finished in fourth after a four-win, two-loss and an outright-loss campaign.
The second innings defeat came in round 2 against Palmerston in a shock result as the Tigers had not lost a game in the year up until this point.
Both sides enter with two wins from their past two games, making this one a tough one to predict.
Warriors coach Udara Weerasinghe said he felt his side was in a good mindset ahead of the finals.
“Feeling confident, just got to go out and play our roles,” he said.
“I reckon our players need to play the same way we did just before the last match in that game against Darwin.
“It was a big step to show everyone how we are going as a batting unit and bowling unit, being able to make 400 runs and take 10 wickets and then 20 wickets last week and winning outright, I reckon we are in a good mindset.”
The Tigers will have the benefit of a bye in the last round which means they will be fresher, although, the home ground advantage sits with the Warriors.
Warriors captain Jagadesh Koduru will be a player to watch as the newly crowned Ralph Wiese medalist has dominated this season with four centuries.
In total, Koduru has compiled 1106 runs in a stellar campaign for the first-year Warriors captain.
Meanwhile, the Tigers will be hoping for batting all-rounder Douwtjie Hoogenboezem to step up after another strong year where he finished with nine votes in the Ralph Wiese medal count.
Leg spinner Charlie Smith will also be a threat as the local up and comer attempts to add to his 27-wicket season (third most in the competition).
Prediction: Warriors
Palmerston v Southern Districts - Cazalys Oval
A huge encounter is set as Palmerston host Southern Districts in what should be a close affair at Cazalys Oval this Saturday-Sunday.
The Power won their opening four games of the two-day season including an outright win over Nightcliff to charge into top spot and assure a finals berth.
Their fast start allowed for some breathing room in their final two games of the regular season as batting orders were rotated and some star players rested.
But the Power will enter the semi-final with a full-strength side led by runner-up Ralph Wiese medalist Alex Bleakley, New Zealander Caleb Montague, who will be likely to go back to the top of the order, and skipper Hamish Martin.
The trio have been unstoppable this season and largely been the catalyst behind the Power’s superb run.
Meanwhile, the Crocs will arrive at Cazalys Oval in fine form, having won their last four games after starting the campaign 0-2.
Former Ralph Wiese medalist Jackson Isakka will be key to the Crocs after finding form last week with his first century of the season.
The Crocs have struggled with the bat for large parts of the season, particularly at the top of the order, making Isakka’s role at No.3 or No.4 vital.
Giving the Crocs confidence will be the fact they defeated the Power by 94 runs in round six.
And of course, having won the two-day flag in the last three seasons, the Crocs will also take confidence from that remarkable feat.
Meanwhile, the Power have not played in the finals since 2020.
When the sides met in the one-day campaign earlier this season in round six, the Power won in a one-run thriller at Cazalys Oval, adding more to the narrative of this game.
It was the two Top End cricket veteran’s going at it that day as Power’s Bleakley bowled to Crocs captain Tim Garner who needed five to win off the final delivery. Bleakley won out as Garner managed three runs.
Who will claim the chocolates this time?
Prediction: Power