The competiton looks similar to last year where eight teams appear capable of playing finals.

Only Albury (1-5) and Wodonga Raiders (0-6) look out of the running.

East Albury is sixth on run rate, but just a win behind New City (4-2).

“Probably come the end of the year, we’ll be in a similar position to them,” Crows’ coach Dylan Weeding said.

“We get to play them twice in one-dayers, so we probably need to win to make sure we’re thereabouts at the end of the year, because if we drop these two games, you’re chasing for the rest of the year.”

The Crows have elected not to play 13-year-old keeper Miles Hemann-Petersen, who’s played two games, meaning he won’t face his father in Phoenix opening batsman Darren Petersen.

Elsewhere, North Albury is home to St Patrick’s, Tallangatta hosts Raiders, while Albury faces Belvoir.