Victorian Bushrangers up for New Year's Bash

VICTORIAN captain Cameron White has backed Michael Clarke as the right choice to lead Australia into the fifth Ashes Test in Ricky Ponting's absence.

White, the Australian Twenty20 vice-captain under Clarke, also will fill that role in the one-day team while Ponting is injured, and said he had no doubt the stand-in skipper would acquit himself well at the SCG next week.

"The experience I've had playing under Michael has been good, something I've really enjoyed," White said after the Bushrangers' intra-squad Twenty20 warm-up at Toorak Park.

"I really enjoy his captaincy style. I think he'll do a great job in the Test match."

White will lead Victoria in the campaign to defend its KFC Big Bash title, starting against Queensland at the MCG tomorrow night.

"(David) Hussey and (Brad) Hodge have played all around the world ... they're pretty good players," White said.

"A lot can really work for you, as well. For some reason, over the past few years we've made sure we've been able to win the crucial moments.

"We've had a pretty good preparation over the past couple of days, so I think we'll be right to go."

Victoria's international player, West Indian Dwayne Bravo, arrives today and England international Michael Lumb yesterday was named in the Queensland squad of 13.

SQUADS: VICTORIA: Cameron White (c), David Hussey, Aaron Finch, Dwayne Bravo, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Robert Quiney, Shane Harwood, Dirk Nannes, Matthew Wade.

QUEENSLAND: James Hopes (c), Lee Carseldine, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, Brad Ipson, Ben Laughlin, Michael Lumb, Chris Lynn, Michael Neser, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Chris Simpson.