Alex Carey comments on Australia's preparations for the next year's World Cup

Carey has been a regular feature in ODI team (PC:Twitter)

Australia will kickstart their busy home schedule with the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Townsville from Sunday before they meet the No.1 ODI team New Zealand in what will be the Trans-Tasman derby for the three-match ODI series in Cairns from September 6.

The five-time World Cup winners have struggled off-late in the 50-over format. For a team that has dominated ODI cricket for so long, they have found it difficult to win games in recent times. Australia have lost their last two ODI series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively. The Aaron Finch-led Australian one-day team's struggle reflects their position in the ICC ODI Super League points table. With 70 points in 12 games, Australia are dwelling at number 8, which is below Afghanistan and West Indies.

The home fixtures against Zimbabwe and New Zealand will provide an opportunity for the Aussies to improve their position in the points table. 

With the next major 50-over World Cup just a few months away in India, teams will be looking to gain much-needed momentum. Speaking about the excitement of playing ODI cricket again, Australia wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey reckons that the upcoming games will provide a great opportunity for the one-day team to evolve and get some momentum ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next year in India.

"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. So it is a good way to start," Alex Carey told reporters in Townsville.

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