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Change, challenge and opportunity for Aussies

In a tumultuous period for Australian cricket, fresh faces in an inexperienced ODI squad could be just the tonic for a new era

Change can bring opportunity, but changing opinions may be the hardest slog of all. The Australian cricket team are under no illusions about what lies ahead for them, but are also embracing the challenge as they steel themselves to face England in this month's limited-overs contests.

There has been much change for Australian cricket since the ball-tampering scandal hit in Cape Town. A change of captain and coach the most immediate, a change of mindset and approach harder to quantify.

How the Australians embrace that challenge will begin to reveal itself by their actions on and off the field over the coming months, starting with the current ODI squad that is full of fresh faces and youthful exuberance.

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From the dark place the Australian team found itself in, there's a renewed sense of vim and vigour about this ODI squad that features only three players who were on the field in Cape Town.

Tim Paine, Nathan Lyon and Shaun Marsh are the England tourists who played in that Test, and the eldest of that group has been struck by the change in attitude.

"We've got a really young group over here. We had a fantastic day yesterday (at the squad's first training session) and you can feel the buzz around this group," said Western Australian Marsh, who turns 35 next month.

"The guys are really eager to get out there and play some games for Australia, to just go out and have a bit of fun.

"I'm really looking forward to the next three weeks with the guys. We had a really good hit-out yesterday and you can just tell the boys are really eager to get out there and put in some really good performances.

"(Cape Town) was obviously a really tough time. There's been a lot said about it and we as Australian cricketers just want to move forward and win the respect back from of our fans, play some really good cricket for them, and for ourselves."

The ball-tampering scandal also has delivered opportunity at Marsh's feet, recalled to this ODI squad to fill a batting void left by the suspensions of Steve Smith and David Warner.

He is now in line to play his first ODI in nearly 18 months and while reluctant to look too far ahead, is aware a strong showing here could cement a spot in the ODI squad with the World Cup now less than 12 months away.

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"No doubt this a great opportunity but I certainly don't want to put too much pressure on myself, I just want to go out there and enjoy it," Marsh said.

"I don't want to look too far ahead. For me it's about playing well in the next three weeks and trying to the best I can and see where it takes us.

"There's a lot of cricket between now and (the World Cup), I just want to keep performing well and hopefully things will take care of themselves with performances."

Marsh has had a busy year, heading from South Africa to England where he's been in form for county side Glamorgan. He struck a first-class century in his first game of the season batting at first drop, and has three scores between 35 and 57 in the domestic one-day competition.

Australia's second ODI will be on Glamorgan's home ground in Cardiff, and he'll return to play out the county T20 and first-class season once this ODI series is over.

Qantas ODI Tour of England

June 7 Warm-up v Sussex, Hove (D/N)

June 9 Warm-up v Middlesex, 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)

T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

Friday, July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 8: Final