Five teams still in Pura Cup race

Queensland's slim hopes of competing in their ninth straight Pura Cup final hinge on their trip to the SCG this week as the second-last round of games approaches. Three matches begin on Thursday and each could shape the final with only South Australia out of contention.

New South Wales and Tasmania could all but ensure they battle for the title if both claim victory but the winner of the Victoria-Western Australia clash would also remain in the hunt. One of the most intriguing games should be at Sydney, where the defending champions and fifth-placed Queensland take on the top-of-the-table New South Wales.

Only six points (one win) separate the two teams and the Bulls will be brimming with confidence after their away-from-home Ford Ranger Cup win at Melbourne on Sunday. Nine members of their Pura Cup squad played in the one-day triumph and the Queensland top order has found form at the right time.

Jimmy Maher struggled for four months before making his first century of the season in the Bulls' last Pura Cup game and followed up with a limited-overs hundred on Sunday. His trouble finding a reliable opening partner appeared over when he built a 263-run stand with Ryan Broad against South Australia, in a match when Clinton Perren was also amongst the runs.

The reliable Andy Bichel, who has 36 wickets this season, and Ashley Noffke must be at their best to ensure Phil Jaques' return to first-class form is only temporary. The Blues have won at home only once in 2006-07 and they will sorely miss Brad Haddin, the Man of the Match last time the two teams met, and Stuart Clark. However, a win for them could set up a playoff for the right to host the final when they tackle Tasmania in Hobart next week.

The second-placed Tigers deserve favouritism in their clash with the winless South Australia at Adelaide. Despite the loss of their captain, Dan Marsh, to a calf injury Tasmania are arguably the most settled of all sides, with none of their regulars missing on World Cup duty.

South Australia have shown signs of improvement lately, especially in their batting, but they have little more than pride to play for. George Bailey's Tigers could move one step closer to hosting the final for the first time with victory at Adelaide.

The most hotly-contested match could be between Victoria and Western Australia at the MCG, where a loss to either team would make it difficult to fight back in the last round. The Warriors will be buoyed by their form away from home this year - they have won two out of three and against the Blues were only two wickets shy of making it a perfect record.

Their top order - Justin Langer, Chris Rogers, Marcus North and Adam Voges - is formidable. Steve Magoffin and Ben Edmondson's new-ball attack has been consistently dangerous and the Warriors' fourth-placing belies their ability.

The Bushrangers have carried few passengers this season and although they will miss Brad Hodge, they have five other century-makers in 2006-07. Their bowling could determine their chances of a second successive Pura Cup final and much will depend on Shane Harwood and Mick Lewis.

By Sunday, the teams and location for the final might remain uncertain; five states could still be in contention with one round to go. But the two sides with their destinies firmly in their own hands - New South Wales and Tasmania - can this week go one step closer to Pura Cup glory.