CRICKET: The pressure is on Kev Poole - his captain has named him as the best batsman for Warwick Hotel Colts this season.

Colts captain Shaun O'Leary said player numbers shouldn't be a problem this weekend as some players were keen to have a run before the Australia Day Carnival.

"Kev has moved back to Warwick and is our best batsman while new player James Fern has impressed with his swing bowling with the new ball,” O'Leary said.

"We want to finish in the top four and play off for the A-grade trophy so need to win this weekend.

While his team plays Wheatvale at Slade Park on Saturday, O'Leary rates Maryvale Condamine as the short-priced favourites for the premiership.

"Maryvale has only got better since last season, they have a top attack,” he said.

While she often has work commitments on a weekend, Carly Cooper has finished her commitments with the Queensland Country women's team this season and could play for Wheatvale on Saturday.

Brothers out

ROSEWOOL Redbacks captain Tyhe Clarkson will be without the Politch brothers, Kerin and Andrew, due to work commitments, for the game against Allora at Slade Park on Sunday.

Kerin is a regular opening batsman but in his absence James Kurtz and Coen Slatter will open the batting.

Redbacks captain Tyhe Clarkson said his side had a convincing win against Allora at Allora earlier in the season.

"We played at Allora in the first game against Allora but I believe our batsmen go better on turf. Ben Heppell got a duck on the synthetic against Allora but has been batting well on turf,” Clarkson said.

Tough game

THE Sovereign Animals will have one of their toughest games of the season when they play Maryvale Condamine at Mayhew Oval on Saturday.

Maryvale pacemen Andrew McConnell and Mitch Darton took seven wickets between them in a Mitchell Shield win last Sunday so are in form.