Central Highlands, made up of nine of the Ballarat association's leading under-16 players and four from the Gisborne association, will have its work cut out for it against the strong metropolitan Southern Rangers.

But with history beckoning for Central Highlands to win the coveted shield for the first time, a top brand of 50-over cricket is expected at Albert Park from 10am.

Central Highlands opening batsmean, captain Lachie Anderson and Sam McVitty are expected to set a solid foundation.

Jayden Hicks at No 3 will be another key as well as the clean-hitting Karl Mayne who is capable of a big innings.

Opening bowlers Grant Farrugia and the very quick Matthew Douglas along with first and second change medium pacers, Alistair Collins and Adam Gilbert are capable of creating pressure with spot-on deliveries.

Spinners Robert Ryan and James Winnard are expected to do the rest.

Co-coach, Napoleons-Sebastopol all-rounder and Geelong Premier League firsts player Travis Faulkhead, 24, is guiding the Central Highlands side with Gisborne association representative Brett Gardner.

"There is usually a big crowd at the Dowling Shield with one or two thousand people coming and going all day," Faulkhead said.

Faulkhead has played for Geelong since the 1996-97 season but has returned to Napoleons-Sebastopol this season while he recuperates from elbow surgery. A VIS scholarship holder, Faulkhead is in his last year of a human movement course at the University

of Ballarat.

PREDICTION: Central Highlands by the leadership of captain Lachlan Anderson and a quick 50 from Karl Mayne.

AT A GLANCE: Central Highlands team for final against Southern Rangers tomorrow: Lachie Anderson (c), Sam McVitty, Jayden Hicks, Karl Mayne, Adam Thomas, Tristan Dixon, James Winnard, Jarrod Burns, Matthew Douglas, Grant Farrugia, Alistair

Collins, Adam Gilbert and Robert Ryan.