27/08/2008 10:53 AM
Australia will use its three-match one-day series against Bangladesh to look into the future, but that doesn't mean the cricketing minnows will be taken lightly.
The all-conquering Aussies are back in action for the first time since recording a 5-0 whitewash of West Indies in July.
Michael Clarke will again skipper his country in the absence of No.3 Ricky Ponting.
Ponting, who is recovering from wrist surgery, is one of a handful of familiar faces not in the squad.
Brett Lee has withdrawn for personal reasons while an ongoing Achilles complaint will sideline powerful opener Matthew Hayden.
It means a new-look Australia will take to the field on the eve of a hectic summer period.
Tasmanian quick Brett Geeves has been called in to cover for Lee.
His is a remarkable fightback for a 26-year-old. Little more than 12 months ago Geeves was weighing up a cricket-less future after a disappointing 2006-07 campaign.
A year on and he is Tasmania's Player of the Year, the equal leading wicket-taker in the domestic one-day competition and was the star of his state's Ford Ranger Cup final triumph.
Another fresh face, Shaun Marsh, could benefit from the absence of Hayden. He has five Australian caps and looked at home on the big stage with an average of almost 32 and a best of 81.
He could find himself facing the new ball from the Bangladeshis.
Clarke has made it clear the likes of Marsh and Geeves are auditioning for places in Test and one-day tours on the horizon.
"I think it is an opportunity for guys in the one-day team to push for selection, whether it be the Test matches in India or the Australian summer," Clarke said.
"We have so much cricket coming up and unfortunately there are only 11 spots. They've picked 14 to go to Darwin so there are a few guys pushing very hard for selection there."
But the stylish right-handed batsman also reiterated the series won't be a walk in the park.
A humbling defeat against Bangladesh in 2005 means every time Clarke steps onto the pitch he prepares meticulously, no matter the opponent.
June 18, 2005, still burns in Clarke's mind.
Bangladesh, the hard-working pack of amateurs, stunned the world champions in Cardiff by five wickets.
And it wasn't a no-name Aussie side; Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden at the head of the order, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke and Martyn, while a handy pair named McGrath and Gillespie took the shiny white ball for openers.
Batting second, Bangladesh star Mohammad Ashraful hit arguably his country's most famous century to secure an historic triumph.
It is Bangladesh's sole win over Australia in 13 one-day internationals.
Its only wins this year have been against Ireland and the United Arab Emirates with heavy defeats coming against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and India.
The tourists warmed up with a positive batting display against a Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI on Thursday.
Mehrab Hossain Jnr was the star with an unbeaten 132 and a three-wicket haul.
Twenty-four-year-old 'veteran' Ashraful, the youngest man to score a Test century, tuned up with a well-crafted 80.
If he can produce some innings of brilliance and bravery then Bangladesh could be competitive.
But the enthusiasm of Australia's new blood and the hard-nosed edge should ensure a clean sweep for the hosts starting with a win on Saturday.