Despite its Test series whitewash, Australia will be wary of Bangladesh when the one-day tournament starts in Chittagong today, with last year's humiliating defeat in Cardiff still fresh in its mind.
However, Australian captain Ricky Ponting said yesterday his team was better prepared for the one-dayers than it was for the Tests, with most of the players having had ample time to acclimatise to the conditions.
". . . as we have seen in the past, one-day cricket tends to bring sides closer together and they've beaten us in the past. We're very wary of that. We had a team meeting today and I stressed to the guys to make sure we're mentally prepared and as well physically prepared as we possibly can be," Ponting said.
"We saw when we weren't that (prepared) in the first two days of the (first) Test, they could compete with us, so we've got to make sure that's completely taken out of the equation tomorrow."
Ponting said the injection of fresh blood in the side, including opener Simon Katich, fast bowler Nathan Bracken and all-rounder Andrew Symonds, would ensure Australia remained energised and motivated for its final commitment before a four-month break.
Australia last night chose off spinner Dan Cullen to make his one-day debut, while paceman Mitchell Johnson returns after a brief stint during the home summer tri-series. Queensland all-rounder James Hopes was named 12th man.
- NABILA AHMED