JAY Lelliott reached a fourth career Commonwealth Games final after qualifying for the men's 200m backstroke showpiece at Birmingham 2022.

Lelliott, 27, was competing in a discipline of swimming not considered to be his best, with his background in freestyle and butterfly.

But he surpassed expectations to make the final this evening (7.13pm), taking the eighth-fastest time of 2:00.65.

Lelliott was well-placed in his heat throughout and finished third behind Australian duo Josh Edwards-Smith (1:58.74) and Mitch Larkin (1:59.59).

READ MORE: Jay Lelliott takes seventh in 200m butterfly at Commonwealth Games

It will be the Portland-raised star's second final at the Games, following his seventh in the men's 200m butterfly.

At Glasgow 2014, Lelliott came sixth in the men's 1,500m freestyle and fourth in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Men's 200m backstroke final qualification times

1. Luke Greenbank (ENG) - 1:56.33

2. Brodie Paul Williams (ENG) - 1:57.88

3. Bradley Woodward (AUS) - 1:57.99

4. Pieter Coetze (RSA) - 1:58.08

5. Craig McNally (SCO) - 1:58.36

6. Josh Edwards-Smith (AUS) - 1:58.74

7. Mitch Larkin (AUS) - 1:59.59

8. Jay Lelliott (ENG) - 2:00.65