New South Wales
Last year: Sheffield Shield - 1st, Ford Ranger Cup - 6th
In: Peter Nevill (Victoria)
Out: Aaron O'Brien (South Australia), Tom Copper (South Australia), Craig Simmons
(Western Australia), Matthew Nicholson (retired)
Watch for: Phillip Hughes. The teenage opener is a Test opener in the making. Made 559 runs at 62.11 last season but must overcome second-year blues.
Analysis: As it is every season, the Blues are unlikely to be able call upon their international stars for the bulk of the summer. The Blues' depth will be tested even further this year should Simon Katich, last year's leading run-scorer in the competition, see more international action. Big things are expected from precocious 19-year-old Hughes, who earlier this year became the youngest player ever to score a ton in a Shield final. Dale Smith can expect competition from Peter Nevill, who has headed north from Victoria, for the gloves when Brad Haddin is away. Doug Bollinger and Mark Cameron will be the lynchpins of the bowling attack in the absence of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken. And the duel for the spinner's role between Beau Casson and Nathan Hauritz will be an intriguing sub-plot. The Blues will also be hoping to improve their one-day cricket.
Victoria
Last year: Sheffield Shield - 2nd, Ford Ranger Cup - 2nd.
In: Chris Rogers (Western Australia), Damien Wright (Tasmania)
Out: Michael Klinger (South Australia), Allan Wise (South Australia), Gerard Denton (Tasmania), Peter Nevill (New South Wales), Mick Lewis (retired)
Watch for: Andrew McDonald. The red-headed all-rounder had an injury-interrupted summer in 2007-08 but finished the season strongly. Reliable with the bat, though needs more massive scores, and can move the ball. A Test smokey.
Analysis: At one stage last summer, the Bushrangers seemed a strong chance to take the triple crown but lost both the four- and one-day finals, the second in heartbreaking manner. The promotion of David Hussey and Cameron White to international ranks in recent months will put the Bushrangers batting line-up under more pressure than ever. Much will again depend on run machine Brad Hodge, who will be desperate to prove to national selectors he's not washed up at 33. The arrival of Chris Rogers helps and there will be more opportunities for promising types Rob Quiney, Lloyd Mash and Aiden Blizzard. The departures of pacemen Allan Wise, Gerard Denton and Mick Lewis, while all very good players, won't hurt as much as it appears on paper. An attack consisting of Peter Siddle, Shane Harwood and Bryce McGain should take plenty of wickets. Adam Crosthwaite and Matthew Wade will again battle to make the wicket-keeper's berth their own.
Western Australia
Last year: Sheffield Shield - 3rd, Ford Ranger Cup - 5th
In: Mitchell Johnson (Queensland), Craig Simmons (New South Wales)
Out: Chris Rogers (Victoria), Adam Gilchrist (retired), Justin Langer (retired), Brad Hogg (retired), Darren Wates (retired), Mathew Inness (retired)
Watch for: Aaron Heal. A clever left-arm spinner who will get more opportunities following Brad Hogg's retirement. May struggle in Perth where the WACA Ground wicket is reportedly back to its old fast and bouncy self.
Analysis: This is shaping as a rebuilding season for the Warriors, who have lost several stars in the winter to retirement. Those losses have only been marginally offset by the arrival of Mitchell Johnson, who is expected to spend much of the summer on international duty. The