AB de Villiers wants his teammates to get outside their comfort zone as South Africa’s World Cup reconnaissance mission ramps up in Melbourne.

The Proteas face Australia in a one-day clash at the MCG on Friday, needing a win to keep the ongoing five-game series alive.

De Villiers impressed in Canberra on Wednesday, crashing a half-century off 32 deliveries as the visitors suffered a 73-run loss.

Manuka Oval was a significantly different pitch to that on offer in Perth, while the change in time zone and quick turnaround also created issues.

De Villiers wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s really ideal preparation for us to be moving around so much, the travelling time as well,” the Proteas skipper said.

“We felt a bit fatigued yesterday after the long trip from Perth to here, so just to get used to all that and know what to expect in the World Cup is going to be really important.

“It’s a long tournament always and if you get little surprises, it takes a bit of energy out of your performance.

“Now we know what to expect, which is really nice.”

The gun batsman’s place in the batting order is one of many crucial decisions the South African hierarchy must make before the one-day tournament starts in February.

De Villiers expected he and coach Russell Domingo would come up with some answers after facing Australia in five 50-over contests spread over 10 days.

“We did chat about it (on Wednesday),” he said.

“We both felt if I can be there after 40 overs with a top-order batsman we’d have a good chance of winning the game, unfortunately I couldn’t be there then.”

Imran Tahir suffered a knee injury and was unable to bat as the Proteas were rolled for 256 in response to Australia’s 5-329.

“We’ll assess that and make a call on the morning of the game,” de Villiers said of Tahir’s chances of playing at the MCG.