STUNNED Mullets will be going for a third successive Australia Day Cricket Carnival win and sixth in total but they won't find it all their own way when they play two round robin games on Saturday at Slade Park.

For only the second time, the carnival teams have been split into main and social competitions. There are 21 teams in the main draw and nine teams in the social grade.

In the past two years, Stunned Mullets have won finals at Slade Park. They beat Marbuck's XI last year after being threatened by a swashbuckling Shane Hooper who landed some balls into Wood St yards.

Tomorrow, they come up against Ring-Inns and Max's XI at Slade Park.

Ring-Inns are a Casino team which has only missed one carnival in the past two decades and are past carnival champions. Max's XI are past finalists.

Stunned Mullets all-rounder Dean Butler will be travelling from Cairns to the carnival and said he expected both Saturday games to be tough.

"Win or lose, the carnival is just a bit of fun. It is a good chance to catch up with other players,” he said.

Warwick Mitchell Shield batsman Lachlan Gross will again play for Stunned Mullets after starring in last year's final with an unbeaten 73 and hitting a century already this season for Warwick in Mitchell Shield.

Butler, Troy Welsh and Steve Hawthorne will have plenty of family support when they return to their hometown for this weekend's carnival. Brodie Frizzell is returning to the team this year and his left-arm pace will be invaluable.

Two years ago, opening batsman Simon Young hit 27 not out to be the sheet anchor when Stunned Mullets won the final chasing just over 80.

Warwick Cricket Association president Michael Bourke said the major change this year would be using pink or orange balls for the finals.

"We have purchased pink and orange balls and will decide which ones based on the colours of the shirts of the teams in the main competition final at Slade Park,” Bourke said.

"It is always good to try something different, it was only a few dollars extra for the different coloured cricket balls.”

After the 1.30pm main competition finals at Slade Park on Sunday, there will be the traditional ball throwing competition and presentations.

Mal Beattie and Paddy Maguire have been two of the longest throwers down the years.

A umpire has been allocated to 46 games by Warwick umpire's co-ordinator Greg Payne.

"The competition wouldn't be successful without the involvement of the umpires,” Bourke said.

"With the cricket being 20 overs a side, it will be easier on the players in the hot weather than 40 or 50-over cricket from years ago.”