Commonwealth Bank Under-19 Championship Series goes down to the wire

Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia all share the possibility of winning the 2003-04 Commonwealth Bank Under-19 Championship Series, with placings to be decided by the final round of two-day matches, which begin today at Brisbane Grammar.

Victoria's upset loss to Queensland and New South Wales' strong win over South Australia yesterday has put the top three states within two points of each other going into the final round.

Victoria and South Australia play each other today in a match that may decide the championship.

A first innings Victorian win will ensure that they win the championship - with an outright New South Wales victory over Queensland the only possible scenario that could break their dream of winning back-to-back titles.

However, South Australia can win the championship if they beat Victoria and New South Wales loses. In the situation of South Australia and New South Wales both wining their matches on first innings, New South Wales will claim the title.

Western Australia is the final team that could possibly move to the top of the table, although this scenario is unlikely as it would require an outright Western Australian win, and Victoria and New South Wales to both lose their matches.

The standings at the beginning of the final round are:

For the first time in the competition's history, a Spirit of Cricket award will be presented to the team that best personifies the true spirit, traditions and values associated with cricket.

At the start of the final round, the standings for the Spirit of Cricket award are:

Scores of all final round matches will be updated after each session of play on Cricket Australia's website, www.baggygreen.com.au