Queensland ready for another crack at shaky Victoria

BRISBANE, Feb 26 AAP - Queensland captain Martin Love believes his inexperienced batsmen can bankroll a fourth successive Pura Cup victory next month despite recent criticism.

The Bulls meet Victoria at the Gabba from tomorrow, with another home final guaranteed for Queensland if it beats the second-placed Bushrangers.

The toss will be important because batting won't be easy on the Gabba wicket after repeated showers hampered curator Kevin Mitchell.

That won't be good news for the Bushrangers batsmen, who have approached the Gabba wicket in previous seasons like it was a minefield.

They haven't won at the ground for almost 20 years and won't be warmed by the sight of a greenish wicket tomorrow morning.

But Love said the toss should not be a major issue and said his batsmen were prepared for the testing conditions despite the loss of veteran Stuart Law (wrist).

Love defended his team after a Melbourne newspaper said the Bulls batsmen were "struggling" despite leading the competition.

"We have four guys averaging better than 40 this season and that's even after batting on the Gabba which can be tougher than other wickets," Love said.

"Victoria plays their games at the MCG and that's generally very flat and it doesn't do a great deal sideways.

"They'll get totally different conditions here but they're playing well."

The Victorians can't offer any Gabba excuses this season because they won't get a better shot at the Bulls.

Law is out and so are World Cup players Matthew Hayden, Jimmy Maher, Andrew Bichel, Andrew Symonds and Nathan Hauritz.

But the Bushrangers will be boosted by a gritty four-wicket win over Queensland in a one-day match at the Gabba last month.

The Bulls are expected to take in four quicks and are likely to leave out left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson because of the conditions.

Love needs only 15 runs to reach 1000 first-class runs for the season following two double centuries against England.

But he is not satisfied with his Pura Cup form, despite scoring 439 runs at an average of 48.77.

"I don't really think my Pura Cup runs have been that great and I'm really looking to improve that in the last two rounds," Love said.

"We've got NSW in Sydney next week and that's always a really tough game so it's going to be a good test."

Victoria plays its final-round match against Western Australia in Melbourne next week, hoping to move closer to its first title in 12 years.

The Bushrangers have won just one championship since domestic finals were introduced in 1982-83.

Queensland: Martin Love (c), Brendan Nash, Clinton Perren, Daniel Payne, Lee Carseldine, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe, Ashley Noffke, Adam Dale, Michael Kasprowicz, Joe Dawes, Matthew Anderson (12th man to be named).

Victorian Bushrangers v Queensland: Darren Berry (c), Jason Arnberger, Robert Cassell, Matthew Elliott, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mathew Inness, Michael Lewis, Jonathan Moss, Matthew Mott, Andrew McDonald, Cameron White (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).