Exit Steve Waugh, enter Michael Clarke.

A few days after Sydney-born Waugh made an emotional farewell to international cricket at the SCG, Clarke, another scion of the harbour city will make his first senior appearance in Australian colours on the famous ground.

Middle-order batsman Clarke has yet to play a Test, but has made a striking impression in just 11 one-day internationals.

In an all-action performance in Friday's tournament opener in Melbourne against India, Clarke scored 63 off 66 balls in a partnership of 143 with Andrew Symonds, took four catches and the crucial wicket of Rahul Dravid.

He averages 65 with the bat and 24 with the ball and appears to consolidate his spot in the team with every game, though he remains modest about his contributions.

"I just continue to do my job and hopefully I can keep scoring runs and one day cement my spot, but at the moment there's so many great players and everybody has been so successful, it's a hard team to cement your spot in," Clarke said.

"I haven't played a one-dayer for Australia there (at the SCG), I'm looking forward to it. My home ground and family and friends there, so it's going to be great."

Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak suggested Clarke could fill a lot of the void left by Waugh's retirement from the Australian team.

Streak said Clarke was "very impressive" after watching him lead Australia A in two matches against his side before the tri series.

"He's a good all-rounder and an excellent fielder, so I think he will be a good asset to Australian cricket and he's got a good head on his shoulders," Streak said.

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