The African side arrived on Sunday in the Western Australia capital of Perth, former Australia Test opener Marsh's home town. Two months ago Zimbabwe were thrashed 2-0 in Australia in a Test series, which Marsh says was a learning experience.

"Obviously it is going to be a big ask, playing against the winners and the finalists in the World Cup," Marsh told a news conference.

"When we went back to Zimbabwe after playing Australia here we had a really good series against the West Indies, and really should have won both the one-dayers (leading 2-1 before losing 3-2) and the Test series (lost 1-0).

"From my point of view, I think you always improve a lot when you play against the best.

"We saw that in the performances against the West Indies, and I just hope we can go a step better in our one-day cricket."

Australia host India in Melbourne on January 9 to open the triangular series.

Zimbabwe will play three warm-up matches in January against Australia A and Western Australia before tackling Ricky Ponting's Australia on January 11 in Sydney.

Zimbabwe regain batsman Grant Flower and fast bowler Douglas Hondo, who missed the series against Australia and West Indies because of injuries.

Captain Heath Streak said: "We have got some key players, who if they hit their straps, then we are capable of competing with any side in world cricket.

"Especially in the one-day arena, we tend to be better performers. We just need to improve on our consistency."