Siddle's up to speed and raring to go

PETER Siddle's seven-month absence from competitive cricket is about to end.

The 25-year-old is the star attraction at a three-day Twenty20 tournament in Darwin that will determine if he will be able to spearhead Victoria's pace attack at next month's Champions League in South Africa.

Siddle was struck down by stress fractures in his back in January but has undergone an intense fitness program and state coach Greg Shipperd said the bowler's ''pace in the nets has been eye-opening''.

The tri-series, featuring fellow Champions League entrant South Australia, and Queensland, will involve each team playing four matches between today and Saturday.

Acting Victoria captain David Hussey has cut short his English county stint to return to lead the team.

The Bushrangers' injury concerns relate to all-rounder Andrew McDonald (shoulder) and Aaron Finch (hamstring). Finch, mooted to open the batting alongside Brad Hodge at the Champions League, is unlikely to feature in Darwin, but every other player is, including reserve wicketkeeper Ryan Carters as a possible standby batsman for Finch.

With Victoria boasting a formidable pace attack - Siddle, Dirk Nannes, Shane Harwood, Clint McKay, John Hastings and James Pattinson - Shipperd said form in the warm-up matches would be noted when it came to shaping the first-choice team for South Africa.

''There's vibrant competition … [for] probably three bowling slots that exist. Six into three won't go and all have very legitimate claims to play,'' he said.