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Vics step out for Big Bash

Source - news.com.au

Victoria will look to provide its own New Year's fireworks when it begins its Twenty20 title defence against South Australia at Adelaide Oval today.

The powerful Bushrangers line-up is in sizzling form after surging to the top of the one-day table last week.

Victoria accounted for the Redbacks in Adelaide to make it three one-day wins and an outright Pura Cup victory against New South Wales in its past four outings.

And based on the brief history of Twenty20 cricket, Victoria is entitled to be a warm favourite, having gone through last year's inaugural season undefeated, while South Australia still hasn't won in this form of the game.

Victorian captain Cameron White has a healthy respect for the Redbacks on their own patch and will take nothing for granted.

"We've seen how Twenty20 brings with it loads of excitement and big hitting, and I'm sure there will be plenty of balls finishing in the crowd," he said, referring to Adelaide's short square boundaries.

White was a sensation in England during the winter when he hit a Twenty20 record 141 not out off 70 balls playing for Somerset.

White and Brad Hodge are the obvious danger men for the Redbacks.

In the Twenty20 final against New South Wales at North Sydney Oval last summer, Hodge peeled off 106 from 54 balls and White 46 off only 16 deliveries as the Bushrangers clubbed 7-233 in their 20 overs to set up a 93-run victory.

White said the competition, an instant hit around the nation last summer, should be even more exciting this year.

"We're all a little more experienced in this form of the game now, so I reckon we'll see some entertaining cricket," he said.

There will be four preliminary games for each state, with the top two teams meeting in the final on January 13.

The Bushrangers play Tasmania in Hobart on Friday and then Queensland and Western Australia at home on Sunday and Wednesday week respectively.