MELBOURNE - Victorian allrounder Ian Harvey will miss the top-of-the-table Pura Cup clash against South Australia in what could become a headache for Australian selectors.

Harvey (hamstring) has been ruled out of the clash, starting at the MCG tomorrow - the third match he has missed this season.

Harvey has a month off before Victoria plays New South Wales, but Bushrangers coach David Hookes said his absence could count against him when national selectors start considering the squad for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"It's disappointing for Ian Harvey first and foremost and disappointing for us for the balance of the side again, although we should be getting used to it because it's the third game he's missed," he said.

"He's getting less and less games. I would have thought he would have been a real chance to go to the World Cup at number seven.

"I think they're still struggling to find a bloke who can bat well at seven and bowl particularly well which Ian Harvey does as his trademark, so it wouldn't be doing him any good, no."

In better news for Victoria, bowlers Mathew Inness and Shane Harwood have overcome respective hamstring and back injuries and resume, with opener Matthew Elliott also back after Australia A duties to cover for Shane Warne.

Elliott's return gives Victoria a more familiar batting line-up after the innings loss to Western Australia, where allrounder Jon Moss opened with Jason Arnberger and Michael Klinger and Graeme Rummans batted out of position.

Hookes said Victoria would be predictable against the Redbacks.

"Last week we outsmarted ourselves and it didn't work and I think we were focusing on two games, not one and at the end of the day from a batting perspective we only lost Elliott yet we really shuffled the order around and that was our fault on reflection," Hookes said.

Aside from Arnberger, who has 446 runs at 74 this season, Victoria's batting is yet to fire.

In contrast, the Redbacks already have five century-makers this season.

Victorian captain Darren Berry said the match was a season-shaper for both sides, currently locked on 14 points.

"The MCG produces results, South Australia would be keen for a result, so it will be an exciting match to be honest," Berry said.

Former Victorian paceman Damien Fleming also brings some spice to the match, returning to the MCG for the first time since crossing to the Redbacks.

Berry said Fleming would bring a "bit of frivolity, bit of laughter, bit of fun but most of all a bloke that's probably keen to do well.

"In all seriousness I wish him all the best. I've played a lot cricket with him and I wish him all the best all year except for probably this game."

A different pitch will be used from the one used for the last match here against Queensland, which yielded just 653 runs.

Teams (12th men to be named):

Victoria: Darren Berry (capt), Jason Arnberger, Matthew Elliott, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, Mathew Inness, Nick Jewell, Michael Klinger, Mick Lewis, Jon Moss, Graeme Rummans, Cameron White.

South Australia: Greg Blewett (capt), Chris Davies, John Davison, Shane Deitz, David Fitzgerald, Damien Fleming, Ryan Harris, Ben Higgins, Mark Higgs, Ben Johnson, Mick Miller, Paul Rofe.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.