REIGNING premier Portland Colts is looming as the powerhouse side of the 2008-09 Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) season which starts tomorrow.

Having been able to keep the bulk of its premiership team together, WDCA general manager Keith Ellerton had no hesitation in naming the Colts as the team to beat.

"Given Portland's good finals series last year and because they've only lost one player, they should be a very strong team and be the benchmark," Ellerton said.

"Nestles are always thereabouts and Russells Creek are an unknown quantity.

"I'm expecting improvements from Merrivale and Allansford."

Allansford's new captain-coach Kyall Timms, a Timboon Demons premiership footballer who played cricket for Macarthur last season, agreed the Colts would be the toughest test.

"I don't know much else about the other teams, so we'll have to wait and see," he said.

Timms - a first change bowler and middle order batsman - hoped his side were the big improvers.

The Cats finished sixth last season.

"Finals are definitely our goal," the 23-year-old said. "We're also wanting to give our good young cricketers in under 17s a go in the ones when we can.

"It's something the club has done and we want that to continue."

The Cats started training 10 weeks ago, with light sessions gradually becoming more intense.

"We were playing indoors then went outdoors where we opened it up a bit.

"Just getting a lot of touches with the bat (was our focus) then we started looking at fielding about three weeks ago."

Ellerton said the players were not the only ones who would be applying the sunscreen and keeping up the fluids for the expected sunny start to the season.

"There would be a few umpires who can't wait until the end of the first game," he laughed, referring to the weather.

The season was supposed to start last Saturday but club complaints caused the association to amend its fixture.

Ellerton said the association was satisfied with the revised draw and looked forward to the first round of matches, which should be a surprise bag for all.

"There have been quite a few clearances, mainly for division two players who are unable to make division one at clubs," he said.

"There's been some changes between clubs as well though so it will be interesting to see what happens."