How Twenty20s could shape the Warrnambool cricket season

That's the equation facing Warrnambool and District Cricket Association captains ahead of Saturday's high-stakes Twenty20 launch.

Never have Twenty20 fixtures carried more importance.

New rules stipulate all formats - two-day, one-day and Twenty20 - are worth six points.

Previously, two-day fixtures were worth six, one-day four and Twenty20 just two.

Each team will play two matches - the first at 12pm and the second at 3.30pm - in a jam-packed Saturday of cricket.

Russells Creek captain Cam Williams said while two-day success was his club's main priority, short-form cricket was vital.

"There's that $15,000 carrot there (Sungold Cup) so you definitely want to put your best foot forward," he said.

"We're really keen to have a crack and get in the finals and put ourselves in a strong position."

Williams felt his side was better-equipped for long-form success, but backed his bowlers to restrict opponents.

"(Twenty20) is probably our weaker suit," he said.

"It's a bit hit and miss for any side - that's just the way it goes.

"But I'm pretty confident we can be successful. We've got the players and our fielding has improved a lot this season."

Injured Dennington captain Zeb McCarthy will use Twenty20 cricket to gift young players more opportunity.

McCarthy said the Dogs - who have just one win so far - were keen to produce an exciting brand of cricket.

"They're really good games. Stronger teams or weaker teams can win them because things can turn so quickly," McCarthy said.

"We have a couple of injuries, so we'll give some younger guys a bit of a taste.

"It's such a quick game and the younger guys are often fitter. They're so good to have in the field and are always ready to go."

More Dennington runs and partnerships are on McCarthy's Christmas wish list.

"Our bowling and fielding has been pretty good. It just takes a couple of partnerships and players to stand up and you're halfway there," he said.

Nestles skipper Geoff Williams said the sheer size of Reid Oval made it a tough short-form oval for opposing teams.

Williams' side was the third-best Twenty20 outfit on points last season but missed finals due to the old conferencing system.

He said his team was becoming "more settled" and was prepared to make a mark in short-form cricket prior to Christmas.

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