All to play for, seriously

The notion of a rugby player taking part in this year's state Twenty20 would be met with derision. Yet it's less than a year since Andrew Johns caused controversy in twice appearing for New South Wales in a bid to attract the crowds. Plenty of water - not to mention money and a World Twenty20 - has now passed under the bridge and Twenty20 has become a serious matter, attracting crowds in its own right.

This year New South Wales may be calling on a guest star again but it's the world-class Glenn McGrath, who will play one match against Queensland to help raise funds for the McGrath Foundation, which aims to fight breast cancer. The Blues hope his presence could also help them to the top two because now there is a big financial incentive to fight for.

The two leading sides will battle it out in a proposed Champions Twenty20 tournament in October 2008 against finalists from similar tournaments in England, India and South Africa. With $US2 million for the first prize, it's less hit-and-giggle than play-very-well-and-you're-laughing. Victoria will fancy their chances of being there; they've won every Twenty20 in the two years since the competition was introduced.

Players are taking training seriously too. Queensland's Clinton Perren said he even went for a run on Boxing Day for the first time in his career to prepare for this tournament.

Pride, this year, is a factor - and more so given the events on the international stage. The World Twenty20 is now the one trophy that Australia don't have in their possession after India won the opening tournament this year. Australia were disdainful of the format at first but soon changed their minds with the defeat to Zimbabwe and soon reached the semis.

Whether the domestic Twenty20 Big Bash, which blasts off across the country on New Year's Eve, can help towards Australia's aspirations to take the trophy next time, in England in 2009, remains to be seen. Only a few of the international players will be on hand, with the bulk of them engaged in Test combat against India. However, the players will be taking the game seriously, as will the fans. But while the intensity and seriousness has been stepped up, the fun - and nicknames - remain.

Defending champions Victoria take on Queensland on the opening night on New Year's Eve at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville. Brad Hodge returns from a disc injury in his lower back to captain the side and the fast bowler Shane Harwood also returns from a groin injury. But they will miss Cameron White, who has broken his foot, and Gerard Denton, with ankle soreness, though selectors are hopeful that both will play some games.

Jimmy Maher returns for Queensland following hernia trouble which ruled him out of action in South Australia before Christmas, but allrounder Chris Simpson has been ruled out with a finger injury. He is expected to return for the game against South Australia on January 4.

Western Australia host Tasmania in Perth and the home side's big-hitters should provide plenty of entertainment. They include Luke Ronchi, Shaun Marsh, Liam Davis and Luke Pomersbach, who made his Twenty20 international debut for Australia against New Zealand on the same ground earlier this month. Allrounders Theo Doropoulos and Matt Johnston return to the stage where they made their state debut last summer, while Ben Edmondson is back after a side-strain problem.

Tasmania have rested Dan Marsh as captain, so George Bailey steps up from vice-captain with Travis Birt named as his deputy. South Australia, meanwhile, open their campaign on New Year's Day with their one-day players chosen for the match, and they host New South Wales in Adelaide.

Twenty20 may still not float everyone's boat, and chance has more of an influence than in other forms, but it is here to stay. The teams love it, with bigger crowds than in the usual domestic games, and they're all ready to go.

New South Wales full squad Simon Katich (capt), Brad Haddin (wk), Dominic Thornely, David Warner, Steve Smith, Stephen O'Keefe, Daniel Smith, Moises Henriques, Beau Casson, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Nicholson, Scott Coyte, Nathan Bracken, Doug Bollinger, Mark Cameron.

Queensland squad for opener Shane Watson, James Hopes, Jimmy Maher (capt), Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Aaron Nye, Lee Carseldine, Michael Buchanan, Ashley Noffke, Chris Hartley (wk), Michael Kasprowicz, Grant Sullivan.

South Australia Matthew Elliott, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Harris, Mark Cosgrove, Nathan Adcock (capt), Callum Ferguson, Dan Christian, Graham Manou (wk), Jason Gillespie, Ryan Harris, Dan Cullen, Paul Rofe.

Tasmania squad for opener Travis Birt, Michael Dighton, George Bailey (capt), Dane Anderson, Luke Butterworth, Rhett Lockyear, Mark Divin, Jason Krejza, Xavier Doherty, Brendan Drew, Brett Geeves, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Wegman.

Victoria squad for opener Michael Klinger, Aiden Blizzard, Rob Quiney, Brad Hodge (capt), David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), John Hastings, Shane Harwood, Peter Siddle, Bryce McGain, Dirk Nannes.

Western Australia full squad Luke Ronchi (wk), Sean Ervine, Liam Davis, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, Adam Voges (capt), Matt Johnston, Theo Doropoulos, Darren Wates, David Bandy, Shawn Gillies, Aaron Heal, Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson, Trent Kelly, Danny McLauchlan.