The protagonists starting 10am Sydney Cricket Ground Saturday 15th March 2008

Provisional squads of 13. My likely starting players in bold.

NSW : Phil Jaques, Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich (capt), Michael Clarke, Dominic Thornely, Brad Haddin (wk), Grant Lambert, Beau Casson, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Stuart MacGill, Mark Cameron

Vic : Nick Jewell, Rob Quiney, Lloyd Mash, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Andrew McDonald, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Shane Harwood, Peter Siddle, Clint McKay, Bryce McGain, Dirk Nannes

NSW with 7 Australian test capped players and one who will definitely start in Australia's next test (Brad Haddin the keeper due to Adam Gilchrists retirement), on their home ground will start short priced favorites.

But there is danger firstly because they have the expectation to win and the pressure that go's with that on their shoulders, secondly they will be going out to bat against the fastest attack in Australia who will play at least 3 quicks who comfortably bowl around 145-150 kph and thirdly because Bryce McGain has been the premier spinner in the domestic competition this year.

Key personal battles of note to look forward to

Stuart MacGill v Bryce McGain This is the heavyweight battle of the leg spinners for extremely high stakes both about the same age MacGill playing second fiddle to Warne for many years in the Australian team against McGain who spent his entire career playing in the shadow of Warne in the Victorian team.

Michael Clarke v David Hussey Test, ODI and 20/20 Australian incumbent batsmen against a guy tipped to force his way into least the Australian ODI side in the not to distant future. Michael Clarke to those outside Australia may look safe but his spot in the national batting order is probably the most hotly contested place because of the quality of the players like Hussey and the next two I will list competing for it.

Simon Katich v Brad Hodge Two ex test players who have plundered lots of runs in Australian domestic cricket in recent seasons. Both are still skirting on the edges of the Australian national side, Katich perhaps more the test format, Hodge more the ODI side. Katich is 136 runs from the all time Australian domestic season scoring record of 1464 runs held by Michael Bevan since the 2004/2005 season.

Stuart Clark v Peter Siddle Current test bowler gets his chance to play head to head against a guy coming up in his rear view mirror as quick as a Ferrari with Michael Schumacher driving it. The big question mark about Clark in the Australian test side is his age, at 23 Siddle has no such problem. Already described by former West Australian batsman and current Victorian coach Greg Shipperd as being the best bowler outside the Australian test side, Siddle gets his opportunity to put forward his claim in a high profile match against test quality batsmen being played for high stakes.

Then just for a little more spice we had this lovely exchange after the teams met in December.

[QUOTE]
It was confirmed yesterday that the two had an ugly off-the-field confrontation after Harwood believed the NSW cordon knowingly claimed his wicket when Katich caught him for 17 off Nathan Bracken's bowling despite there being considerable doubt that the ball had carried.
A witness said the blow-up threatened to turn violent when Harwood challenged Katich after the day's play, with players from both teams required to drag the duo away from each other.
"It was full-on," said a source, who refused to be named.

"There was lots of shouting and swearing in the players' race … chests were puffed out, they were in each other's face yelling. The language would've made a nun blush. Katich certainly took exception to basically being called a 'f---ing cheat' and to having his integrity questioned by Harwood."
[/QUOTE]

From Spiteful Victoria-NSW final tipped as Harwood calls Katich a cheat - Cricket

Let the combat begin