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NSW captain Alyssa Healy says her side will be wary of the threat posed by former teammate Ellyse Perry when they begin their one-day season against Victoria.
Wednesday's one-day match in Melbourne will pit mate against mate when Ellyse Perry takes on NSW for the first time since leaving her home state to play for Victoria.
Perry joined Victoria before the 2019 season but is yet to don the navy blue against her former teammates and good friends, which include NSW skipper Alyssa Healy.
Victoria and NSW will play on Wednesday and Friday at Junction Oval, where Healy, Perry, national captain Meg Lanning and a stack of stars will start their women's national cricket league (WNCL) campaigns.
At the back of their minds will be a limited-overs tour of New Zealand that begins in March and will mark Australia's first game since hosting a trans-Tasman series last September.
Front of mind will be banking early WNCL points and bragging rights.
"She (Perry) gets me out for fun in the nets. I'll try to limit the damage," gun keeper-batter Healy said.
"She's a class bowler and someone you are in a fierce battle with, whether it's out in the middle or in the nets.
"Her downfall has been getting out to me in the nets, but I've got no doubt she won't be in any danger of that happening this week."
NSW have won a staggering 21 of the 25 titles since the WNCL's inception in 1996.
But Victoria can pick up to nine players with international experience this week if their entire squad is fit.
"It's really exciting to challenge ourselves against the best. Pez is one of the best, along with Meg," Healy said.
"And the list goes on. They've got a world-class side.
"It almost feels like we're playing against Victoria, which is the current generation of Australian players, and we've almost got that next generation."
Hannah Darlington, aged 19 and recently named the Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year winner as part of Cricket Australia's annual awards, headlines the list of young talent.
Darlington has been appointed vice-captain of NSW.
The teenager is set to lead her state next month when Healy and national vice-captain Rachael Haynes head to New Zealand.
"She's a really impressive young cricketer and leader, on and off the field," Healy said of Darlington.
"It's potentially a big ask for a young kid coming into the side (to captain) but if anybody is going to handle it it's Hannah."
