Vics lose Fleming, gain Harvey

MELBOURNE, Oct 23 AAP - Victoria lost paceman Damien Fleming but gained a batsman in international all-rounder Ian Harvey ahead of Wednesday's Pura Cup match against New South Wales.

Fleming broke a finger playing grade cricket on the weekend, weakening the bowling attack against a powerful Blues batting line-up.

Harvey was named in a 13-man squad just six days after shoulder surgery which was initially expected to sideline him for three weeks.

"He's going to have a hit tomorrow and if he comes through that okay he'll play as a batsman," Victorian operations manager Shaun Graf said.

Harvey's operation was to correct a rotator cuff injury aggravated in Australia's visit to Kenya for the ICC knockout tournament.

With Fleming, batsmen Matthew Elliott and Laurie Harper all missing through injury, Harvey's availability will add much-needed experience against a full-strength Blues team.

Colin Miller will also play his first Cup game for the Bushrangers after arriving from Tasmania.

Squad: Paul Reiffel (captain), Shane Warne, Colin Miller, Ian Harvey, Darren Berry, Matthew Mott, Brad Hodge, Jason Arnberger, Ben Oliver, Shawn Craig, Graeme Vimpani, Matthew Inness, Michael Lewis.