Australia set for Malaysia, Singapore warm-up tournament

MELBOURNE, July 31 (Reuters) Australia plan to play in a triangular tournament with India and West Indies in Malaysia and Singapore in September as part of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy in India.

''The Australian team last played one-day international cricket in Bangladesh in April so it's important for us that this opportunity is used in advance of the ICC's major tournament in October, which Australia have never won,'' Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement today.

Australia open their Champions Trophy campaign against a qualifier in Mumbai on Oct. 18 in a tournament featuring all the world's major cricketing nations.

''We hope we're close to being able to put this important tournament in place as a warm-up event for the ICC Champions Trophy,'' Sutherland added.

''I'm sure such a tournament will be a great success and further strengthen our relationships with Asian cricketing countries.'' The October 7 to November 5 Champions Trophy is regarded as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in the Caribbean next March and April, when Australia will defend the title they won in South Africa three years ago.

REUTERS PM HS1332