Aussies want more one-day glory

Australia will this month attempt to capture the 'Ballr Cup' in an ODI tri-series against West Indies and South Africa.

The trophy is unlikely to appease those wanting more meaning and context in international cricket, but the tournament shapes as a crucial building block in Australia's World Cup defence and charge towards next year's ICC Champions Trophy.

Australia have been ranked and regarded as the premier one-day side since thumping New Zealand in last year's World Cup final.

Much has changed since that MCG match.

Quick single: Smith picks his 12 for Windies ODI

Further adjustments - to captain Steve Smith's approach and the arsenal at his disposal - are likely to be made this month in the West Indies.

"Our goal is to win every series but at the same time, selectors and I have an eye to the future," Smith said in Guyana as Australia prepare for Sunday's clash with the West Indies.

"And an eye on big tournaments.

"The Champions Trophy is one of the major tournaments in this form of the game, we've certainly got an eye on that."

Injuries, retirements and fluctuating form have meant multiple changes to Australia's first-choice XI since the 2015 World Cup.

Walk-up starters Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke have all signed off.

Matthew Wade is currently behind the stumps but selectors preferred Peter Nevill at the recent World Twenty20.

James Faulkner and Mitch Marsh are still vying for the title of Australia's premier white-ball allrounder, with the former being a surprise omission in the tri-series opener at Guyana.

Quick single: Aussies' mystery man to counter Herath

Spots are undeniably up for grabs, most notably the role of frontline spinner.

Young leg-spinner Adam Zampa and Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon will be desperate to impress on slow-and-low pitches in the West Indies.

"They both have a chance, so does every other spinner around Australia. It's still a fair way away," Smith said of Australia's spin options for the Champions Trophy.

"You never know .. there's no reason why you can't play two spinners in the same line-up (even in England)."

Why stop at two?

"I'd pick four spinners if I could," Lyon grinned.

"Every time you walk out to the middle is a chance to put your hand up and push your claim to own that spot."

Quick single: Anderson can break my record: McGrath

National selectors have aired concerns that Lyon's coloured-clothes ambition could damage his Test bowling.

"It's going to help it in different ways," Lyon countered.

"I'm confident in my skill set to get the job done in any format.

"It's just about being able to adapt ... to understand when to attack and when to sit back and defend."

The Champions Trophy, which England will host next June, has often been derided as a meaningless event.

But Australia will be keen to make amends for being knocked out in the group stage of the most recent edition in 2013, sacked coach Mickey Arthur's final assignment.

Their thirst for trophies is also generally unquenchable.

"We haven't won that for a while. I'd imagine that will be a goal to get our team ready for that tournament," Glenn Maxwell said.

"There will be a lot of guys with that in the back of their mind.

"But there's still a lot of cricket to be played."