Aussies begin Cup prep as massive summer looms

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey says Australia will be looking to build momentum ahead of next year's 50-over World Cup in India when they kick off the home summer against Zimbabwe on Sunday. 

Coming off two, albeit narrow, ODI series losses to Pakistan (2-1 in March) and Sri Lanka (3-2 in June), the home side are eyeing to return to winning ways in Far North Queensland.

The Australians have 17 one-day internationals on the horizon before the ODI World Cup in October-November 2023 that will help finalise their preparations for cricket's show-piece tournament. 

Six of those ODIs will take place in the next couple of weeks, with a three-match series against Zimbabwe in Townsville followed by another three against New Zealand in Cairns.

"We're really keen to start the summer well," Carey told reporters in Townsville.

"Six games back-to-back … it's a good way to kick off (the summer).

"We see it as a great opportunity to continue to evolve our one-day cricket to get some form leading into the next 12 months."

The Australians had a centre wicket hit out on Wednesday where they were greeted by a lively strip that appeared to be very receptive to the hosts strong pace attack of Josh Hazlweood, Mitch Starc and Cameron Green.

But the conditions were completely foreign to Carey, who admitted it was his first trip to Townsville's Riverway Stadium.

"I've only played in Brisbane with 10am starts with the white ball and at times there's some spice around and swing," Carey said.

"First thoughts are it looks like a really good wicket.

"In one-day cricket, you know how you try to set up, but we'll obviously sum up the conditions as well and play accordingly."

Carey hasn't faced Zimbabwe one-day cricket either with the two sides last meeting in an ODI eight years ago in August 2014 when the African nation stunned Australia with a three-wicket upset in Harare – their first win against Australia since their inaugural meeting in the 1983 World Cup.

"In this format, I haven't played them," he said.

"They've had some recent form so they'll be keen to come over here and play some good cricket.

"They knocked off Bangladesh recently so we will do our research if guys haven't already started.

"We've got some vision of (their) bowlers, batters and we are up here five days early."

The opening match of the series gets underway at 9:40am AEST on Sunday, August 28 and will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

Sunday Aug 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Wednesday Aug 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (c), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Buy #AUSvZIM tickets here