Uphill battle for Phoenix

CRICKET:PHOENIX WILL be looking to go one step further and upset the odds in tomorrow's 4fm Twenty20 Cup finals day at Sydney Parade.

The boys from the park are the only team to make the final four from last year.

They face The Hills in the opening semi-final after three comprehensive victories in their group games, and look to have a good mix of power hitters in their line-up.

Former Ireland international David Langford-Smith has proved very effective, while Australian professional Andrew Downton knows how to clear the boundary rope.

The Hills have played only one game in the competition, and earned their place in the finals on the back of a 3-2 bowl-out victory over Clontarf. They will also be without Jeremy Bray, who is in the Ireland squad for their Intercontinental Cup clash with Scotland.

Railway Union have also been hit by international call-ups, with Trent Johnston and Kevin O’Brien also in Aberdeen, but they could still have enough strength to get past Leinster in their semi-final.

Ireland international Kenny Carroll has struck up a fine opening partnership with Tom Fisher, including an unbeaten 152 against last year’s winners Pembroke at Sydney Parade in the group stages. Carroll finished unbeaten on 90, while Fisher hit 75 in an earlier tie against Dublin University.

Railway player and Ireland international Niall O’Brien will be in action at Edgbaston as the English T20 finals take place today.

O’Brien’s Northamptonshire side take on Sussex in this morning’s first semi-final, with former Merrion and Ireland batsman Ed Joyce lining up for the opposition.

SATURDAY: Leinster Senior League (11.0) – Section A: Clontarf (1) v Leinster (5), Castle Avenue; Merrion (4) v North County (6), Anglesea Road; The Hills (3) v Pembroke (7), Milverton. Section B: CYM (6) v Malahide (3), Terenure; YMCA (1) v Phoenix (2), Claremont Road.

SUNDAY: Twenty20 Cup Finals – At Sydney Parade, Semi-finals: Phoenix v The Hills, 11.0; Railway Union v Leinster, 2.0; Final: 5.0.