BOMBS AWAY: Returning Exies batsman Jamie Winkler lets his blade do the talking.
Cricket
ONE down, two to go.
That's the scenario for Exies after last week locking in a Peter Davis One-Day Cup grand final appearance.
With the decider against Coro slated for March 3 and Twenty20 finals kicking off next weekend, the focus has now switched back to red-ball cricket, which returns tomorrow.
Second-placed Exies begins its two-dayer against Hanwood on its home strip in an assignment Marc Tucker senses could be fraught with danger - despite two contrasting formlines.
"It's going to be hard. They're only a few points in front of Yenda," he said.
"They need to win their next two games to stay alive.
"But so do we, to lock up first or second spot."
If Exies turn up in the same mood as last weekend, they will take some stopping.
Paceman Warren Bock led the way with four wickets as the side routed an uncharacteristically-flimsy Diggers outfit by six wickets.
"It was a great win from our boys, especially since we had a couple of guys out," Tucker said.
"We'll take that confidence into next week."
But Saturday is a different ball game, with the two-day format bringing its own unique advantages and challenges in stark contrast ot he last month, which has been saturated with Twenty20 and one-day games.
Tucker said his men have what it takes to make a smooth transition and sew up the double chance this month.
"It's good to change things up a bit," he said.
"Batsmen get more of a chance to knuckle down and bat time, and the bowlers get to bowl as many overs as they want.
"We're all pretty young so we're fit enough to play the longer form of the game. I'd say it suits us."
Exies' squad will be largely unchanged, with one Winkler Jamie returning to the side in place of his brother Justin, who is nursing a rib injury.
Alex Tucker also drops out for Nathan Jones, with Rick Merz set to take the wicketkeeper's gloves.