Victorian coach Simon Helmot says the Bushrangers are flexing their muscles at the selection table by leaving out Chris Rogers for Sunday’s one-day cup clash with Tasmania at the MCG.

“For a side to leave out a fella who made 64 off 37 balls in a record first-innings score (2-379 against Queensland on October 7 at the Gabba) was a sign that we have some good depth,” Helmot said.

“Chris certainly understands the situation. It just shows there’s a responsibility on the other players who take that spot to make sure we perform.”

Both sides are resting Test quicks ahead of next month’s series against South Africa, with Tasmania’s Ben Hilfenhaus and Victoria’s James Pattinson on the sidelines on Sunday.

Victoria are on top of the table with one win from two matches while Tasmania have won their opening game.

“We always match up well with the Tassie Tigers. I think they’re our No.1 rivals,” Helmot said.

“Over the past two or three years, we’ve had some enormous contests. Both sides obviously boast some enormous talent with both bat and ball.”

Victoria boast a strong batting line-up including Aaron Finch and Rob Quiney who average 84 and 62 respectively this season.

However, Tasmania have former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in their side and the 37-year-old is in top form after scores of 162 not out and 60 not out in this week’s drawn Sheffield Shield game in which the Tigers claimed first-innings points.

Helmot said Tasmania’s spinners Jason Krejza and Xavier Doherty formed a strong attack combined with pacemen Jackson Bird, Ben Laughlin and James Faulkner.

The Tigers have also rested pace bowler Luke Butterworth because of knee soreness.

“We’ve been playing two spinners and that’s been working well for us,” Tasmanian captain George Bailey said.

“So it means that James Faulkner will get a good opportunity to step up and impress with his one-day stuff and he may get more of a chance with the new ball than what he would normally.”

Victoria: Cameron White (capt), Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Jayde Herrick, David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, Darren Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Matthew Wade.

Tasmania: George Bailey (capt), Jackson Bird, Aiden Blizzard, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Andrew Fekete, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting.