Australia's four-day match against the England Lions in Worcester starting on Wednesday night will be its last chance to get things right before the first Test in Cardiff.
The Australians viewed the match against Sussex in Hove as primarily an opportunity to shake off the cobwebs after more than three months playing limited overs cricket.
This game, unlike last week's, carries first-class status so wickets and runs will not be given away charitably.
More importantly, the Australians face stronger opposition. The England Lions, formerly known as England A, is a side set up by the ECB to prepare up-and-comers and those on the fringe of the senior side for international cricket.
There will be many names in the Lions side familiar to Australian cricket fans.
Captain Ian Bell and paceman Steve Harmison were both part of England's Ashes triumph in 2005, and Sajid Mahmood played in Australia in the 2006-07 series.
Pacemen Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions both debuted against the West Indies at Lord's in May and performed with distinction in that series.
Adil Rashid is a highly-rated 21-year-old leg-spinner who is expected to give Monty Panesar a tremendous fight as England's No.2 tweaker behind Graeme Swann.
"If you have a look at their bowling attack, the quicks have all played international cricket which will be a really good thing for us, really good preparation for us," said Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
Of the rest, only two players - batsmen Joe Denly and Stephen Moore - have not played at international level.
Ponting was expecting his team to lift its intensity a week out from the first Test.
From a selection point of view, this game will give selectors the last chance to gauge the form of its quicks.
Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle are locked in, leaving veteran pair Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, and spinner Nathan Hauritz to battle for the other two bowling berths.
With Ben Hilfenhaus overlooked, Lee will surely get the new ball with Johnson.
Lee was wicketless from his two spells with the new ball last week against Sussex and early strikes in Worcester will edge him ahead of Clark.
But should he again fail to do so, Clark, with his greater control, will come back into the frame as he has carved a fine reputation as a stock bowler for Ponting.
It would also not surprise to see both quicks play as part of an all-pace attack in the first Test.
Hauritz did not forward his cause in Hove but is favoured by the expectation of spin-friendly conditions in Cardiff.
Against him, however, has been the recent weather in Worcester.
Should there be more rain later in the week and conditions remain warm and humid, the wicket may not dry enough for Hauritz to apply his wares.
The result of this match will count for nothing in terms of the main battles that lie ahead, but now is hardly the time for players to be getting things wrong. They may not get another chance to atone.
Teams
Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark
England Lions: Ian Bell (c), Tim Bresnan, Joe Denly, Steven Davies, Stephen Harmison, Sajid Mahmood, Stephen Moore, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Adil Rashid, Vikram Solanki