And, according to acting captain Steve Waugh, it is not a game the Australians are treating lightly. The double centurion of Old Trafford praised Scotland's efforts in winning a place in the 1999 World Cup and added: ``It was a tremendous effort by the amateurs from Scotland.

``We meet them in the opening section match in the World Cup and we will be treating them with respect.''

Waugh also emphasised that it was more important for touring teams to play against Scotland than teams like the Minor Counties or the Universities, a point underlined by John Everett, the Scottish Cricket Union chairman.

Everett said that games between the full ICC member countries and associate member nations would pave the way to one-day first-class status for the lesser nations.

Scottish captain George Salmond is confident that his players will give a good account of themselves, but warned against the danger of being ``startled by the headlights'' when facing the best team in the world.

With dry weather forecast, a capacity crowd in excess of 7,000 is expected at the Grange ground.

The Scots will probably leave out a seamer and select both spinners, left-armer Keith Sheridan and Australian-born off-spinner Ian Beven, who, in Jim Love's absence in Bermuda with the Scottish under-19 squad, assumes the responsibility of coach.

While Raeburn Place will inevitably be the centre of attention tomorrow, Sunday's Caledonian 80/- Scottish League programme also produces a notable head-to-head down the road at Goldenacre where second-placed Heriot's take on leaders Grange.

Heriot's are on a roll with Shahid Aslam in particularly good form with the ball and all-rounder Mike Allingham also showing the kind of form that earned him 10 caps last year and a place in the Malaysia squad.

At the other end of the table, Aberdeenshire, the defending champions, and Freuchie are in danger of losing touch with their nearest rivals in the struggle to avoid relegation.

Freuchie are progressing well in the Village Cup but their league form has been so poor that Andy Crichton has handed over the captaincy to Robbie Birrell in an effort to breathe new life into the team.