MELBOURNE, Oct 29 AAP - Key Australian players Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting showed differing approaches today to the punishing schedule of international cricket which awaits them.

While Warne's unprecedented fitness and his outstanding form meant there was no way he would miss the Pura Cup match against Tasmania from tomorrow, Ponting will rest.

Warne was super-keen to play because his friend and team-mate Darren Berry will become Victoria's most-capped player.

New Tasmanian coach Brian McFadyen said he had been hopeful Ponting would play, but the Australian Cricket Board asked for the national one-day captain to have some time off.

"It's disappointing, we'd love for Ricky to play," McFadyen said.

"We're hopeful he'll be available when we play Queensland between the first and second Tests."

Ponting needed surgery in June to help fix a stress fracture in his left foot.

Warne, on the other hand, has regenerated his career after losing weight through a dedicated fitness regime.

Australia's top cricketers will soon start seven months of Tests and one-dayers, including the Ashes series and the World Cup.

Warne was man of the series in Sri Lanka and Sharjah against Pakistan, with 27 wickets in three Tests.

When asked if he had second thoughts about playing in this match, Warne replied: "Obviously when it was 53 degrees in Sharjah.

"For me, I know it's important just to keep bowling.

"I think it's up to the individual - if they want to play that's good, if they don't then that's cool as well.

"I don't think it should be held against anyone."

Warne would also be anticipating a spin-friendly wicket towards the end of this match.

The MCG pitch is unusually dry for this time of year and it should be a good batting track early in the match.

Another obvious change will be the arena, with some of the Ponsford Stand missing.

This will be the first event at the ground since redevelopment work started late last month.

"You can actually see the Melbourne skyline, it's a good little feel, a few of the boys said there should be a hill there," Warne said.

Warne will captain Victoria for the first time in three years, having regained the spot under new coach David Hookes.

While delighted to be in the side when Berry sets the all-time Victorian record with 125 caps, he regrets their never having been together at Test level.

"Darren Berry can pick what I bowl in my run-up - anything new, he knows exactly what I'm doing," Warne said.

"It's probably a bit of a tragedy he's never had the opportunity to play at higher honours.

"If we didn't have great keepers such as Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist, he probably would have played 100 Tests by now for Australia."

Teams (12th men to be named):

VICTORIA: Shane Warne (capt), Jason Arnberger, Darren Berry, Will Carr, Matthew Elliott, Ian Harvey, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, Mathew Inness, Nick Jewell, Jon Moss, Graeme Rummans.

TASMANIA: Jamie Cox (Capt), Sean Clingeleffer, Graeme Cunningham, Gerard Denton, Michael DiVenuto, Michael Dighton, Shane Jurgensen, Daniel Marsh, David Saker, Shannon Tubb, Shane Watson, Damien Wright.

© 2002 AAP

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