COLOMBO - Australia is working on a plan to reverse New Zealand's recent dominance in trans-Tasman one-day cricket clashes and avoid yet another early exit from the Champions Trophy tournament.

Australia meets New Zealand, the defending champion, in its Trophy opener on Sunday.

Captain Ricky Ponting, commenting on Australia's first-round exit in the previous two editions of this tournament when it was a knock-out contest, joked that "at least we get two games this time".

But with the second game for both teams against minnow Bangladesh, it has essentially come down to a knock-out match between the two old rivals for a place in the semi-finals.

"All our work and training over the next few days is geared around New Zealand," Ponting said.

New Zealand had it all over Australia in last summer's one-day internationals, winning three of four matches in Australia - and only losing the other after a Michael Bevan Houdini act with the bat when Australia was down and out in Melbourne.

Asked if Australia had done any work to address the questions raised by New Zealand last summer, coach John Buchanan said: "The answer's 'yes' but not that we're going to elaborate here."

"Certainly New Zealand played to a very good game plan and they certainly challenged the way we played and we didn't necessarily respond to that very well through that series.

"That's one of the issues we'll focus on ahead of this game and we'll handle that a lot better this time."

New Zealand beat Australia by casting a spell over the top order batsmen with Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Damien Martyn and Ponting all averaging less than 16 against the Kiwis last summer.

Australia also failed to adapt to New Zealand's tactics as accurate bowling and precise field placements undid the batting line-up.

The Australian selectors responded by axing the Waugh brothers while Ian Harvey was another fixture who would eventually be removed. Australia has since played dynamic cricket under Ponting, with 10 wins, a tie, a no result and three losses in the past 15 games.

New Zealand, on the other hand, has struggled for form - winning only three of its past 15 games, and will be missing key all-rounder Chris Cairns, who is injured.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said tactics and planning would again be the foundation of New Zealand's efforts.

"We respect them as a cricket side and you have to be at the top of your game to compete well with them, but we back ourselves to do that through hard work and good planning."

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming admitted the loss of Cairns could hurt his side.

"The absence of Chris Cairns has affected the balance of the side because he is a world-class all-rounder, but it has given an opportunity to younger players and they have come to the fore."

Also out is pugnacious batsman Craig McMillan, who refused to tour for safety reasons.

New Zealand has had a tough time in Sri Lanka in recent years, with tours coinciding with terrorist attacks in 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2001.

Fleming singled out fast bowler Shane Bond and all-rounders Scott Styris and Jacob Oram - New Zealand's answer to big Tom Moody - as the players to look out for.

"Shane Bond is an exceptional talent, a fast bowler with genuine pace that we are very lucky to have. Jacob Oram is an exciting all-rounder and Scott Styris had a successful tour of the West Indies."

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.