From dead last in the previous two seasons, the revitalised Otago Volts stand on the cusp of pulling off their first Ford Trophy championship in more than a decade.
The Volts have gone top. PHOTOSPORT
The Volts last wore the national men's one-day crown in 2007/08, but have snuck up to secure the 2018/19 home Ford Trophy Grand Final for Dunedin, to be played at the University of Otago Oval this Saturday 1 December and televised LIVE on SKY Sport.
It's been a remarkable turnaround for the southerners who edged the Wellington Firebirds for top spot by one point after the completion of the initial 10 rounds, after a thrilling last-ball victory in Invercargill over defending champions the Auckland Aces.
Matt McEwan feeling the pain but it ain't over for the Aces. PHOTOSPORT
It's not over for the Aces, however, who will get to host The Ford Trophy Elimination Final this Wednesday (11am November 28) at Eden Park Outer Oval, after second qualifiers the Wellington Firebirds ceded hosting rights to the match due to the unavailability of the Basin Reserve.
Even at their home "fortress", the Aces will need to be on top of their game to hold out the Firebirds who have been in red hot form throughout the competition. Opening batsman Andrew Fletcher has smashed batting records in his first season and leads the competition's run charts, while captain Hamish Bennett maintains his grip on the top of the season wicket tallies, a nose in front of his Otago Volts rival Jacob Duffy.
Get set for an exciting build-up to sudden death, high-pressure Ford Trophy Finals, with just three power-packed teams left standing!
