Winning the Ford Ranger Cup meant another successful season for the Tigers following on from their historic first Sheffield Shield triumph in season 2006/7.

Replacing prolific opener Michael Di Venuto, who has opted to concentrate on his career in England at Durham, is the first challenge skipper Daniel Marsh must overcome.

Short of a shock international retirement from Aussie captain Ricky Ponting, the burden of making the runs will once again fall heavily on Marsh himself, a 10/1 shot with Stan James for top bat honours following an excellent 2007/8 campaign in which he averaged over 54 and was second only to Di Venuto in the list of Tasmanian run getters.

He will be looking for support from ex-Derbyshire left-hander Travis Birt, and, particularly, vice-captain George Bailey who featured on the recent Australia A tour of India.

The bowling will be headed once again by Brett Geeves, Ben Hilfenhaus & Australia's surprise call up for India, off-spinner Jason Krejza.

There look to be many better teams on paper but Tasmania are always likely to punch above their weight and a follow up victory in the 50 over Ford Ranger Cup would surprise no-one.