Former Victorian Darren Dempsey could give South Australia a spark when the Redbacks open their Pura Cup cricket season against the Bushrangers at Adelaide Oval tomorrow.

Dempsey is poised to make his first-class debut on his 26th birthday after an impressive off-season in which his decision to return to the state where he was born has paid dividends.

While the Redbacks are yet to finalise their team, SA skipper Darren Lehmann said the winner of last year's Ryder medal as the top cricketer in Victoria's premier ranks was likely to slot into the middle order.

"He'll probably bat at six I'd say, once we finalise the side," Lehmann said.

Born in Mount Gambier, Dempsey said it did not matter to him that he could make his debut against Victoria.

"I'm originally from South Australia anyway so it's sort of good to come back home and play my first game," he said.

"I've been waiting in Victoria for a few years to get this opportunity and thankfully the (SA) selectors have given me a chance. Hopefully I can make the most of it."

Dempsey, who scored a century in an ACB Cup match against the cricket academy recently, could further strengthen a Redbacks line-up which boasts a solid batting order but has been hit by injuries to key bowlers.

Paceman Paul Wilson (knee) and swing bowler Brett Swain (shoulder) are out for up to six weeks each while vice-captain Greg Blewett will not bowl for six to eight weeks because of a stress fracture in his back.

Lehmann said he had confidence in his team's remaining bowlers, which include Test paceman Jason Gillespie, fellow quicks Paul Rofe and Mark Harrity and spinner Brad Young.

"Obviously we've got a few injuries but it gives young blokes an opportunity," he said.

"We've picked a bowling line-up that we think can get 20 wickets and I'm sure they can if they bowl well."

Lehmann provided an injury scare today when he left training to have a knee complaint examined by a doctor but later returned, saying he had been given the all-clear.

"I'll be all right, it's just a bit sore that's all," he said.

The squads are:

SA: Darren Lehmann (captain), Greg Blewett (vice-captain), Shane Deitz, Darren Dempsey, David Fitzgerald, Jason Gillespie, Mark Harrity, Ben Higgins, Graham Manou, Paul Rofe, Jeff Vaughan, Brad Young.

Victoria: Paul Reiffel (captain), Matthew Elliott (vice-captain), Jason Arnberger, Darren Berry, Damien Fleming, Ian Harvey, Brad Hodge, Matthew Inness, Michael Klinger, Colin Miller, Matthew Mott, Shane Warne (12th man to be named).

© 2001 AAP