Former world No.1-ranked batsman Andy Flower is set for a big summer, beginning Sunday when he debuts for South Australia in the Pura Cup.

The former Zimbabwe captain is the star addition to Australia's first-class cricket competitions, which open when Western Australia hosts the Redbacks in their four-dayer at the WACA.

The two teams will also open the one-day ING Cup series at the WACA on October 24.

Flower, only two days after arriving in the country earlier this month, scored 160 from 179 balls for Adelaide club side Sturt.

SA recruited him after his much-publicised self-exile from Zimbabwe.

Flower and Zimbabwe teammate Henry Olonga protested against Robert Mugabe's regime during this year's World Cup in South Africa, and feared for their safety if they returned to Zimbabwe.

While Flower can expect to be in the spotlight both on and off the field next week, former Zimbabwe teammate and WA opponent Murray Goodwin has also been in the news as a result of "political" statements.

Goodwin will face a Western Australia Cricket Association hearing later this month after his comments about Zimbabwe's selection policy, which he alleged favoured coloured players.

New South Wales will be the team to beat in the two cups, having won the last three one-day titles and also breaking Queensland's three-season run to take out the four-day crown.

The Blues will start their season on October 26 when they play Victoria in a one-dayer at Bowral, the birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman.

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