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Australia itching to begin their new era

With a new captain, a new coach and a new-look side, Tim Paine starts his one-day tenure against world No.1 ranked ODI side England

It has been 80 days since the ball tampering scandal broke and Australia's one-day side are itching to play their first international since that now-infamous Test tour. 

They will get their chance Wednesday in the first of five ODIs when they meet England at The Oval. New captain, new coach and new personnel in the on and off-field groups give this Australian outfit a fresh look – just three players in this squad were in South Africa – and this is a side keen to draw a line between events in Cape Town and now.



Captain Tim Paine, who will lead Australia for the first time in one-day cricket, helped start the course correction that has been picked up by new coach Justin Langer, and the Tasmanian says the side is now ready to put themselves to the test. 

"Yeah, we certainly are (itching to play a match). The practice matches have been gold for us being out of season but we are here for this series and there is no better place to start than at The Oval with a full house on Wednesday," Paine said. 

"It is going to be awesome and a great experience for a lot of our guys.

"It is a great opportunity for a lot of new guys and a new captain, new coach with some other new staff. So, it has got that new sort of feel to it. 

"But at the same time, we know what we are here to do and that is to win the series. 

"So, whilst it is great to be up and about and training with practice matches, the real test for us starts on Wednesday."

Australia bring one of their more inexperienced sides into this contest against the world No.1 ranked ODI team, albeit one coming off a historic loss to Scotland having given up 5-371 in 50 overs in Edinburgh. 

Paine said there was no hint of nerves, and not likely to be any with the likes of Langer and Ricky Ponting around. 

"With JL and the coaching staff setting a really good environment, it is really exciting for our young guys to come in and play against the No.1 ranked team in the world where potentially, from what I have read, we are not expected to trouble them too much," said Paine.

"(Ponting) brings years and years of knowledge, we all know that. But what I think he has brought to this group (is) when he's around guys walk a little bit taller.

"I think that's going to be really important for a younger and inexperienced group and a group coming to England playing in front of full houses."

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Australia will target a series win in England, but they also have an eye on the World Cup to be played here in 12 months' time, including two matches at this venue, against India, and Sri Lanka. 

This side may be shorn of first-choice bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, plus allrounder Mitchell Marsh, and the suspended duo Steve Smith and David Warner. 

"The silver lining is that probably our best five players aren't here, so we get an automatic look at five players we wouldn't have got a look at and we use that to build towards the World Cup," Paine said. 

Qantas tours of England and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (injured), David Willey, Chris Woakes (injured), Mark Wood

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of England

June 7: Australia beat Sussex by 57 runs at Hove

June 9: Australia beat Middlesex by 101 runs at Lord's

June 13: First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16: Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19: Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 8: Final