Steve Waugh's Australians went on to win the final in 1999 in England and Ricky Ponting led the side to undefeated campaigns in 2003 and 2007.

In 2011 on the sub-continent when Australia is shooting for a fourth successive title, Marcus North aims to be there.

North is yet to make his one-day international debut and admits his role on the current South African tour is as a back-up batsman. But he said: ''I'm not here to make up the numbers.''

It's clear from his demeanour in his century on his Test debut in February in Johannesburg that North's not overawed by taking on the best players in international cricket.

Australia's five-match one-day series starts in Durban tomorrow and with the Proteas holding the top ranking by one point over Ponting's side, the build-up has been tense.

In an Australian Cricketers' Association poll of 110 of the nation's leading players, North was voted captain of the Sheffield Shield team and the one-day side, after the left-hander's 343 runs at 57.16 in the 2008-09 domestic one-day season.

So he comes to the squad highly recommended, even if the 29-year-old only won selection after Warriors teammate Adam Voges pulled out because of a clash with his wedding.

''It's an opportunity that I thought I wasn't going to get on this tour,'' North said on Tuesday.''Hopefully now I can put pressure on a place to get an opportunity to play.

''I'm just going to prepare well and train hard and if an injury comes up or a spot comes up through someone getting rested or form well hopefully I'll be prepared to take my opportunity.

''Any time I get a chance to play a role with my [off-spin] bowling ... without a doubt that has contributed to my selection on this Test tour.

''If I get an opportunity to play that role in the one-day format, I'll certainly be looking forward to doing that.''

TOMORROW

First one-day international, South Africa v Australia at Durban, 11.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports2