Dixon's side face back-to-back T20 home games this weekend, entertaining Wodonga Raiders on Saturday (3pm) before welcoming Belvoir to Billson Park on Sunday (12pm).

The Englishman is starting his second season as captain and won't be afraid to do things differently.

"When you look at what Eoin Morgan's done with that England one-day team, he changed that brand of cricket," Dixon said.

"That's something we don't always think about in club cricket, saying 'have we got a way to play?' and 'what is our best way to win the game?'

"I took a lot from seeing his methods and since taking over as captain, we've generally opened the bowling with a spinner. It's not really the done thing locally but we've had a lot of success with it.

"If it means we've got to have a hitter in the top three, it's about taking what is successful to win a game of cricket and I think Morgan is a great example of that."

Dixon admitted pre-season had been a very disjointed affair but can't wait to get stuck into another provincial campaign.

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Albury has been one of the busiest clubs in terms of recruiting over the winter and Dixon likes the look of their 2021/22 side.

"Since I came back (from the UK), we've had a few standout import players," he said. "We had Louis Botes and Innocent Kaia and then Mash (Kodamullage) played for us last year but what's been quite refreshing is that after two strong seasons, we've managed to recruit really well locally.

"The stand-out signing is Nat Sariman, who was the captain at Belvoir and he actually played for my club, Upton, back in the UK. I'm very close to 'Snags' and to bring someone over of that quality, who's played for the Riverina and who's been a standout batsman over the past few years, has been really good.

"We've got some really exciting talent which has come out from the Hume league and it'll be good to see how everyone gels. For some of them, it's the first time playing in the provincial league, coming from a comp where it's more synthetic, onto turf.

"I played against a few of the boys in the O'Farrell Cup last year so I'm really excited to see what it looks like."

Sariman scored 617 runs for Belvoir last season, averaging 41.13, and he's joined in the Albury side this weekend by former Eagles team-mate John Spencer.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Lavington Panthers begin the defence of their premiership at home to Belvoir and North Albury hosts St Pats while New City plays Tallangatta.

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