A ball is yet to be bowled but already the SCG pitch has proven challenging, providing selectors cause for contemplation and leaving captains with contrasting views.
Sunday's clash with Sri Lanka in Sydney will be Australia's most important World Cup fixture to date.
Defeat will almost certainly consign them to a quarter-final against South Africa then a potential semi-final in Auckland.
It is a path worth avoiding.
"Players know where we stand, we don't need to talk about it," Michael Clarke said on Saturday.
Standing in the co-hosts' way is a talented batting order, led by veteran Kumar Sangakkara, who is fresh from back-to-back unbeaten centuries.
But the pitch has also demanded much attention - and not just from ground staff that rolled grass clippings into the strip on Saturday.
National selectors opted against naming a team, wanting to assess conditions on match day.
An unchanged side is expected, but if ever Xavier Doherty is going to be called on it is likely to be in Sydney.
"It looks like spin is going to play a part," Clarke said.
"It looks quite dry and certainly it hasn't got as much grass on it as I've seen in past one-day matches.
"Hopefully it hardens up."
Coach Darren Lehmann noted Shane Watson was also not without hope of a call-up.
"There's a chance for all 14 apart from Pat Cummins ... we'll have to see what the wicket comes up with," Lehmann told Fox Sports.
Cummins will miss a second game due to the side injury he suffered in Auckland, however the paceman is expected to be fit for the team's final pool match against Scotland in Hobart.
Clarke was unwilling to comment on the selection debate, but made his thoughts on the pitch abundantly clear.
"If we had to play today the toss would be crucial," Clarke said.
"If we turn up tomorrow and the wicket is rock hard, I think it'll be a really consistent pitch for both teams.
"If it's still a bit tacky like it is today then I'd really want to bat first."
Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews wasn't on the same page.
"I don't think the toss will be that vital ... it doesn't really matter," Mathews said.
Mathews suggested it was hard to get a read on the wicket.
"Yes, spin might play a big part. That's what I thought as well when I looked at the wicket the very first day," he said.
"Yesterday it was completely different."
Sri Lanka will be forced to make at least two changes, with Rangana Herath and Dimuth Karunaratne both out due to injury.
Legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna is expected to play in place of Hearth.
"They've got about seven right-handers, so he comes into play," Mathews said.
Meanwhile, Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott was taken ill at the start of Saturday's training session.
"He was back out in the nets then so he's obviously doing pretty well now, thankfully," Clarke said of McDermott, who was attended by team doctor Peter Brukner.
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