Veteran all-rounder Cameron White will captain a depleted Victoria side when the undefeated Bushrangers host New South Wales this week in the Sheffield Shield.
Victoria resume after the Big Bash League break sitting atop the shield ladder with four wins and a draw.
But the Bushrangers face a tough task to continue their impressive run, with their depth severely tested by injury and international duties.
Regular skipper Matthew Wade, Peter Handscomb, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell are all with Australia's ODI team in New Zealand, while seamers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson remain unavailable through injury.
"The amount of depth we have in the squad is an example of why we have been so successful over the last few years and secured back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles," Victorian chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch said.
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"Despite some injuries and other players being on international duty, we've named a strong squad featuring some young, up and coming talent like Will Pucovski, combined with veterans like Rob Quiney.
"With the strong position we put ourselves in before the BBL break, I'm sure the team can come together and pick up where we left off, and press for a third straight title."
No timeframe has been set for Siddle's return after he suffered a flare up of a stress-related back injury in November.
Pattinson overcame shin and back injuries to play for the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, but is still not ready for the rigours of four-day cricket.
The round six match gets underway at the MCG on Wednesday and will see the traditional Kookaburra balls replaced by British-made Dukes balls for the first time.
Cricket Australia will trial the balls for the rest of the Shield season in a bid to better prepare Australian players for overseas tours where the Dukes balls are more commonly used.
Victoria squad: Cameron White (C), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Travis Dean, Evan Gulbis, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Jon Holland, Will Pucovski, Rob Quiney, Jake Reed, Matthew Short, Chris Tremain.
