Siddle, McGain left out of Victoria's T20 Champions League opener

Victoria has elected to pass over Test bowlers Peter Siddle and Bryce McGain for its opening match in the Champions League Twenty20 tonight.

The team has sprung a surprise by selecting specialist fielder and batsman Glenn Maxwell at No.8 for the match against South Africa's Warriors at their home St George's Park stadium, while John Hastings, the most-used bowler of all of last season, will also feature in the Bushrangers' side.

Peter Siddle, returning from back stress fractures, has been overlooked for match one of the Bushrangers' Champions League campaign, as has fellow Australian Test bowler Bryce McGain and emerging paceman James Pattinson. All, however, are considered strong chance to play at least one of the team's four matches in this tournament.

Victoria today plays South Africa's Warriors at their home ground of St George's Park at Port Elizabeth, one of three home venues for the Champions League.

VICTORIA SQUADS:

Brad Hodge

Rob Quiney

Aaron Finch

David Hussey (c)

Andrew McDonald

Matthew Wade

Glenn Maxwell

John Hastings

Clint Mckay

Shane Harwood

Dirk Nannes.

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.