Self-confessed cricket nuffie Tim Paine says he's relishing the opportunity to mentor a rookie bowling attack ahead of his first game as permanent Australia captain against England on Wednesday.
With Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitch Marsh and Patrick Cummins unavailable due to injury, Australia's fast bowling stocks have been severely tested.
That quartet boast 205 ODI caps between them with the five pacemen chosen as their replacements appearing just 22 times on the international stage.
South Australia seamer Kane Richardson is the most seasoned campaigner with 15 appearances, Andrew Tye has four, Billy Stanlake two, Jhye Richardson one and Michael Neser is yet to debut.
"I'm a bit of a cricket nuffie so I am always talking cricket and trying to help my teammates," Paine said.
"We're lucky in England where we spend a lot of time on the bus together, so it is about making the most of those 40-minute drives every morning.
"I am making sure I am sitting with some of our younger quicks and younger teammates who I feel I haven't spoken to in a little while.
"I have spent a lot of time with them off the field and at training sessions and making sure that we are really clear so that when we get out on game day it is about keeping calm and executing what we've spoken about."
With superstar batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith also unavailable, Australia have been given little to no chance of success against the world's No.1-ranked side, something Paine believes can work in his team's favour.
"With JL (Justin Langer) and the coaching staff setting a really good environment ... it is really exciting for our young guys to come in and play against the number one ranked team in the world," Paine said.
"From what I have read, we are not expected to trouble them too much. So, it is a great experience for the young guys to come into it.
"I suppose from what has happened in South Africa, the silver lining is that probably our best five players aren't here.
"So we get an automatic look at five players we wouldn't have got a look at and we use that to build towards the World Cup in 12 months' time."
The sold-out match at The Oval will be a huge personal milestone for Paine, who was appointed permanent captain following the ban handed down to Smith following the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.
The Tasmanian was pondering retirement less than three years ago and now finds himself at the helm for a five-match series in England.
"To be captain of the team is a huge honour and massive privilege, so I am just looking forward to getting into it on Wednesday," he said.
"Our preparation has been outstanding right through from Brisbane. Now it's time to go out there and test ourselves."
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