Clarke backs fringe players

Michael Clarke is set to lead a new-look Australia side this series © Getty Images

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Stand-in captain Michael Clarke believes the upcoming one-day international series against Bangladesh will be a chance for some of Australia’s lesser lights to stake their claim ahead of a hectic schedule.

Clarke will lead a fresh looking side in the absence of Ricky Ponting, who is recovering from wrist surgery, for the three-match series which begins in Darwin on Saturday.

In an indication of the changing face of Australian cricket, the world champions go into the series showing just five names from the team that defeated Sri Lanka in the final of last year’s World Cup.

In addition to Clarke only Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey and Nathan Bracken remain from that team.

The squad has been shorn of two of its World Cup winners in the past week following the withdrawals of Brett Lee (personal reasons) and Matthew Hayden (Achilles).

That has paved the way for the addition of some new faces.

Uncapped Tasmanian quick Brett Geeves has been called up as a replacement for Lee, while Hayden’s opening role should again fall to fellow left-hander Shaun Marsh.

Marsh impressed alongide Shane Watson at the top of the order when called in to replace Hayden during the tour of the West Indies, highlighted by his 81 on debut at Kingstown.

And with the four-Test tour of India fast approaching in October, Clarke has hinted the Bangladesh series could be an audition for the newer faces to book a ticket to the sub-continent.

“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,” said Clarke.

Nathan Bracken thinks there is an incentive to do well against Bangladesh © Getty Images

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“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.”

Australia’s depth is set to be tested during a busy 12-month period when they will play 17 Test matches and 25 ODIs as well as competing in next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in England.

Bracken believes that punishing schedule, coupled with the loss of key players, should provide the squad with the incentive to lift their own game in Darwin.

“At the moment we're putting out the strongest team we've got - injury and personal circumstances have come in - but for us this is the best side we've got on the paddock,” Bracken said.

“It's up to the guys who come in and take the reins, including myself, to put their hands up - we're all looking forward to the challenge.

“We want to win every series we play in, it doesn't matter who we're playing, we want to win and win convincingly.”

The Aussies will be favourites to do just that against a Bangladesh team that has not beaten a Test-playing nation since their triumph over South Africa at last year’s World Cup - some 24 games ago.

The tourists have only beaten Australia once in 13 ODIs between the nations, but despite being massive underdogs Bangladesh batsman Mehrab Hossain Jnr is looking forward to the series.

“We will go out there and enjoy ourselves because we have got nothing to lose,” said Mehrab who scored an unbeaten 132 in the tourists’ final warm-up game on Wednesday.

“If they (Australia) slip up then that will be a major setback for them so I guess if there is any pressure it is on them.”