Victoria's horror run with injuries has continued today, with the withdrawal of opening batsman Jason Arnberger from the team to play Western Australia in a Pura Cup match starting in Melbourne starting tomorrow.

Arnberger, who was struck a blow early in the Bushrangers' match against Tasmania last week, has been unable to overcome severe bruising and ligament damage to his foot.

It will be the first time since 1997-98 that the pugnacious right handed batsman has missed a first-class match for Victoria.

He will be replaced in the side by left handed upper order batsman Matthew Mott.

All-rounder Ian Harvey has overcome a ligament strain in his back and been passed fit to play in one piece of good news for the Victorians. But the squad remains gravely affected by injury problems.

Alongside Arnberger, pacemen Damien Fleming (shoulder tendonitis) and Mathew Inness (foot) have also been forced to rest from this week's match, adding to a long catalogue of woes for the Bushrangers this season.

They join Shawn Craig (foot), Simon Dart (hand) and Clinton Peake (thumb), allr-ounder Ben Oliver (osteitis pubis) and fast bowlers Ian Hewett (back) and Shane Harwood (ankle), who have already all been added to the casualty list this season.

The Victorians, presently in second-last place on the competition table, need to collect at least one outright win from each of their last two matches to have any hope of qualifying for their third successive Pura Cup Final.

The Warriors meanwhile enter the match in third place on the table, two points behind second-placed South Australia and on level terms with Tasmania.

Teams:

Victoria: Matthew Elliott (c), Darren Berry, Will Carr, Ian Harvey, Brad Hodge, Nick Jewell, Michael Lewis, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Jon Moss, Matthew Mott, Cameron White (twelfth man to be named).

Western Australia: Simon Katich (c), Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Michael Clark, Kade Harvey, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Scott Meuleman, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Brad Williams (twelfth man to be named).

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd