Australia lost the toss and were sent into bat by Zimbabwe in the tri-series opening one-day international in Harare.

Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first on a Harare Sports Club deck which is renowned for flattening out in the afternoon sun.

With captain Michael Clarke ruled out with a left hamstring injury, Australia are light on in the batting department, selecting a side dominated by bowlers and allrounders.

However, stand-in skipper George Bailey said his team were confident of putting runs on the board in Australia’s first international match since March.

Boom allrounder Mitchell Marsh has a golden opportunity to cement himself in Australia’s plans leading into next year’s World Cup, promoted to No.3 in the order after a brilliant past six weeks for Australia A.

Bailey said rustiness won’t be an excuse for the No.1 side in ODI cricket as they face up to the No.10 ranked Zimbabweans in the first fixture of a triangular series which also features South Africa.

Australia pulled a selection shock by deciding to overlook in-form left-hander Phil Hughes as Clarke’s replacement.

Hughes will instead carry the drinks, with selectors backing big-hitting allrounders Glenn Maxwell, Marsh and James Faulkner to provide the runs.

Test spinner Nathan Lyon will play his first ODI since 2012 and will be relied upon to play a crucial role in the afternoon, with conditions expected to be difficult for fast bowling.

Australia have only ever lost one match to Zimbabwe in 28 ODIs.

It’s the first time the national team has travelled to the troubled African nation since 2004.

Australia: Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Marsh, George Bailey (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Phil Hughes 12th man.

Zimbabwe: Tinotenda Mawoyo, S Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami, Prosper Utseya, John Nyumbu, Tendai Chatara, Tinashe Panyangara.