Nothing but an outright win will suffice for Vics

MELBOURNE, March 5 AAP - Poor form and the Pura Cup cricket table demand Victoria scores an outright win over Western Australia in the match beginning tomorrow at the MCG.

The Bushrangers and New South Wales are equal second going into the weekend but the Blues are better placed to meet Queensland in the March 14-18 final because they have one more outright win.

The Victoria-WA match and NSW's home game against Queensland, also from tomorrow, will be the last two Cup matches ahead of the final at the `Gabba.

Queensland savaged Victoria last week, continuing the Bushrangers' 20-year drought in Brisbane and maintaining their indifferent form of the past two months.

"(It's) not just because of the mathematics of it - an outright win here would give us a chance with some momentum to go to Queensland," said Victorian coach David Hookes.

"If we got two points here and just fell over the line and NSW lost, and we still made the final, it wouldn't be the same form going into Brisbane.

"It's probably a reflection on the way we've played the season, we've struggled a bit since Christmas.

"That can be the legacy of having a youngish side."

But the pitch and WA, which is out of contention, will do Victoria no favours in its mission to score six points.

Hookes was diplomatic, rather than enthusiastic, about the straw-coloured strip.

"The pitch looks good - it's an irony in the sense it doesn't look like an easy result wicket," he said.

"It's probably the sort of pitch you'd like to get from October onwards, not something getting towards the end of the year."

He also observed there seemed to be plenty of feeling between the two teams.

"I must say, I don't think there's too much love lost between these two groups of players," he said.

"There's probably been more aggro between these two sides than Victoria and any other side this year."

WA captain Justin Langer did not think there was any particularly bad blood but admitted the Warriors would do nothing to help Victoria reach the final.

"We won't be doing Victoria any favours, they've got to win it," he said.

He was also mystified about the WA selectors' decision to drop experienced players Ryan Campbell and Mike Hussey.

"You'd better ask the selectors about that - obviously the selectors were a little concerned about the fact we've only won two Pura Cup this year," Langer said.

"I guess it was a message from the selectors that WA cricket needs more out of our senior players.

"I was disappointed for them because they're obviously two good mates of mine and I've played the majority of my WA cricket with (them).

"I guess it's always a surprise when senior players are left out."

WA also dropped Callum Thorp while recalling paceman Brad Williams and promoting youngsters Luke Ronchi and Peter Worthington.

Victoria will take an unchanged 12 into the match.

Squads:

VICTORIA: Darren Berry (capt), Jason Arnberger, Matthew Elliott, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mathew Inness, Mick Lewis, Jon Moss, Andrew McDonald, Matthew Mott, Cameron White (12th man to be named).

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Justin Langer (capt), Jo Angel, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Murray Goodwin, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Luke Ronchi, Adam Voges, Brad Williams, Peter Worthington (12th man to be named).