A solid season on all fronts saw Victoria emerge as Twenty20 champions & finish as runners up in both the Sheffield Shield & the 50 over Ford Ranger Cup.

The foundation of this consistent showing was a powerhouse batting line-up of Australian internationals David Hussey, Brad Hodge & Cameron White. They have been further boosted in this department by the surprise signing of Derbyshire skipper Chris Rogers from Western Australia.

With neither he or vice-captain Hodge likely to figure in the test team in the immediate future they can devote their full attention to racking up the scores in domestic cricket and as such are 5/1 co-favourites with Stan James in the Sheffield Shield top run scorer market.

The bowling department is none too shabby either with Bryce McGain & Peter Siddle being included in the Aussie squad touring India & Dirk Nannes, a key performer in Twenty20, returning from a successful spell at Middlesex.

Darren Pattinson, surely the most bizarre one-test wonder in English cricket history, returns to his native land and can be backed at 20/1 to be leading wicket taker with Stan James in the Sheffield Shield.

A major factor in the Bushrangers chances of success this season will be how often Hussey & White, and to a lesser degree McGain & Siddle, are called upon to wear the Baggy Green Cap.

With stalwart batsman Nick Jewell & all-rounder Andrew McDonald sure to continue to perform to a high level the Vics look set to challenge on all fronts once again, as well as being leading fancies for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 in early December.