We're down to the final doubleheader weekend of the national one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and the burning question is will it be the Auckland Hearts or Otago Sparks playing Wellington Blaze in next weekend's Grand Final?
This huge last weekend of the double round robin is unfurling from 10.30am this Saturday morning.
In Wellington - where the Blaze is hosting the out-of-contention Canterbury Magicians at the Cello Basin Reserve, the Blaze (on 27 points ahead of the weekend) just need a win to cement in their place as the top qualifier.
But even if the Blaze were to lose both their games this weekend, and end up on equal points with another team in second spot, they've got the edge on countbacks.
The real pressure is on Maddy Green's Auckland Hearts (heading into the last two rounds on 24 points) and Felicity Robertson's Otago Sparks (on 22 points) who are playing each other.
Talk about a showdown. The two teams are playing each other twice at Dunedin's University of Otago Oval, and the results will dictate who goes through.
In New Plymouth, Northern Districts are meanwhile away to the Central Hinds, with both teams unable to catch the leading group. Fourth-placed ND could have the perfect weekend, yet would still be boxed out by either the Hearts or the Sparks above them.
The Hearts will need just a win tomorrow to guarantee their spot in the Final. It would push them six points ahead of the Otago Sparks, with just five points left up for grabs on Sunday.
Conversely, a Sparks win on Saturday at Uni Oval would turn Sunday's match into a sudden-death affair for both teams.
So, the Sparks will be well aware they need to beat the Hearts twice, to make the Final - and will have the home advantage in Dunedin.
The Wellington matches are a rematch of last season's Grand Final in which the Blaze defeated the Magicians by four runs in an absolute thriller.
But this season, the normally strong Magicians haven't fired - with just one win, one washout, and six frustrating losses from the first eight rounds.
The Blaze, meanwhile, have momentum: six wins nudging them ahead of the pack, and just two losses, plus all the confidence they can take from having already won a tight Dream11 Super Smash Final this summer - as well as having made the HBJ Grand Final for the past two seasons on the bounce.
Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine are unavailable (in India for the upcoming WPL tournament) but the Blaze has already tested its depth without them, and done well.
The Sparks are at full strength - with WHITE FERN Hayley Jensen back; and the Hearts are stable.
Who are you backing?
All matches are livestreamed and livescored at www.nzc.nz, on the NZC app, and on NZC YouTube - keep your eye on the results tomorrow!
