Australia's fast bowling stocks continue to be stretched heading into the home summer, with Peter Siddle and James Pattinson both racing the clock to be fit in time for the first Test against South Africa.
The pair weren't named in Victoria's squad on Wednesday for next month's one-day cup, and haven't played since the New Zealand tour in February.
Neither are expected to take any part in the tournament, and appear likely to have just the Bushrangers' opening Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania to prepare themselves for the Perth Test, nine days later.
In that clash, Australia will revert to three quick bowlers on the bouncy WACA wicket, with selectors hoping incumbents Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will likely be joined by Jackson Bird, who played in the Test series against the Black Caps but wasn't used in Sri Lanka.
However, pace spearhead Starc is battling to be to be fit after he injured his leg in a training accident last week in a major concern for Australia.
If he was ruled out of the first Test starting on November 3, Australia's pace bowling depth will be tested.
Siddle is marginally ahead of Pattinson in preparation, and has been bowling in the nets after spending time on the sidelines with stress fractures in his back.
Siddle is expected to be fit for the Shield clash.
Pattinson faces a tougher battle to play that clash on October 25, after being grounded by shin problems and a subsequent back injury.
It was also confirmed on Tuesday that NSW quick Pat Cummins would only play a limited role in the one-day cup on return from a back injury.
Potential replacement Nathan Coulter-Nile was also sent home from Sri Lanka last month with stress fractures in his back, while fellow West Australians Jason Behrendorff (back) and Joel Paris (shin) also have injury concerns.
Hazlewood and Bird are among the few that remain fit, while South Australians Chadd Sayers and Joe Mennie recently played for Australia A.
Meanwhile, the prolonged injuries to Siddle and Pattinson have forced the Bushrangers to pick an inexperienced bowling line-up for the 50-over tournament, with John Hastings, Chris Tremain and Scott Boland all away on Australian duties.
All-rounder Dan Christian will take on an added responsibility with uncapped pace-bowling rookies Jackson Coleman and Matt Doric both named.
"Coleman and Doric have shown promising form in both Premier Cricket and Pathway competitions, and will help fill the roles left by our frontline pace attack currently missing through injury and overseas commitments," Victorian chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch said.
Glenn Maxwell will also have another chance to impress selectors in the tournament, while Rob Quiney, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron White make up one of the most dominant batting line-ups in the competition.
Victoria's squad: Peter Handscomb (capt), Fawad Ahmed, Aaron Ayre, Michael Beer, Dan Christian, Jackson Coleman, Matt Doric, Marcus Harris, Ian Holland, Jon Holland, Glenn Maxwell, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White.
