Bushrangers aim to live up to their promise

In 2006-07 Victoria nearly made the Pura Cup final, but not quite. They nearly won the FR Cup decider, but not quite. Two of their best players nearly established themselves in the national one-day team, but not quite. In many ways it was a frustrating summer for the Bushrangers as the major honours teased and then eluded them.

Greg Shipperd, the state's coach, does not see it that way. "All in all we thought we had a very good season," he says. "Until the last day of our last Pura Cup match we were still in with a chance to make all three finals."

That disheartening conclusion - the 101-run loss to Queensland handed New South Wales a place in the decider - meant their only prize was a second consecutive Twenty20 title. "We're disappointed that we didn't win more that we qualified for," Shipperd says. "From a one-day point of view, we were very happy with our seven wins and hosting the final [against Queensland]."

Their success was impressive considering that all eight of their contracted fast bowlers were out injured at one point early in the season. Victoria scoured Melbourne's club cricket and displayed their depth when Clinton McKay and Darren Pattinson filled the gaps admirably.

Things are looking better for 2007-08. Pattinson will miss the first couple of games with an ankle injury but the key strike bowlers should be ready from day one. There were fears that Shane Harwood's latest shoulder problem could require major surgery but Shipperd now expects that will not be the case. Andrew McDonald also has a shoulder injury and might initially be unable to bowl, but he will be chosen as a batsman regardless.

The legspinner Bryce McGain, 35, took six seasons to register his first five Pura Cup games as he waited patiently behind Cameron White and Shane Warne. With Warne's retirement and White seemingly focusing more on his batting, McGain will be an important part of the Bushrangers' attack.

The batting remains a strength - four players scored more than 700 Pura Cup runs last year - and Shipperd expects strong competition between Lloyd Mash, Michael Klinger, Aiden Blizzard and Rob Quiney for what could be only one vacancy. Jon Moss has gone home to New South Wales and another Sydney signing, John Hastings, may fill that gap when he recovers from ankle problems.

There will also be a healthy rivalry between the incumbent wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite and Matthew Wade, who Victoria recruited from Tasmania during the off-season. Wade, 19, is highly rated as a batsman and Shipperd hinted Crosthwaite would have a challenge on his hands.

"We're not locked into thinking one keeper will do all forms of the game," Shipperd says. "We'll give opportunities to whoever's in the right place at the right time. Crosthwaite started last season well and dropped away a bit, but he was an aggressive and innovative one-day batsman. He has some credits on the board."

Shipperd hopes White and Brad Hodge earn more national call-ups this summer and he believes the selectors cannot keep overlooking the prolific David Hussey, who made 911 Pura Cup runs in 2006-07 followed by 1259 at 83.93 for Nottinghamshire. "I would be bemused if he's not given a chance, he's in a rare streak of form," Shipperd says. "If we can get one or two other players apart from Brad Hodge into a good, strong Australian team it would be a massive plus for our group."

Captain Cameron White
Coach Greg Shipperd

Squad Aiden Blizzard, Adam Crosthwaite, Gerard Denton, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Nick Jewell, Michael Klinger, Mick Lewis, Lloyd Mash, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Clinton McKay, Dirk Nannes, Darren Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade, Cameron White, Allan Wise. Rookies Grant Baldwin, Aaron Finch, Michael Hill, Jon Holland, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson.

2006-07 results Pura Cup 3rd, FR Cup 2nd, Twenty20 1st.