Ashan Ranaweera, 45, pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault when his trial began in Wangaratta County Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Andrew Moore told the jury of nine women and three men that the alleged victim had left the party and gone next door to give Ranaweera his phone charger in the early hours of Boxing Day 2017.

But she was so drunk, she thought she was still at the party and was going to sleep next to her friend on the trampoline - then she realised she had been led into a bedroom, and was allegedly being raped.

"She was making noises, trying to indicate to him she didn't want it," Mr Moore said.

"She was scared, she will tell you she was trying to get away from him."

The alleged victim started to give her evidence on Tuesday afternoon, from a remote witness facility, but the court was closed to the public.

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Mr Moore told the jury that when Ranaweera was arrested he admitted the sexual encounter, but said it was consensual.

"He said the complainant instigated it, it was all her," Mr Moore said.

"He denied that she wasn't consenting, he said she wanted it."

Facebook messages between the pair will be used as evidence during the trial, where there was some friendly banter earlier in the night, then Ranaweera said to her "don't tell".

Mr Moore said Ranaweera was originally from Sri Lanka, but had been living in Mount Beauty for 12 years and was sponsored by the town cricket club, where he was a player and coach.

Ranaweera's barrister told the jury the case was not about morality issues, or approval of the 26-year age gap, but if there was consent for the sexual encounter.

The trial continues on Wednesday.