Keepers gloves to stop Mabo's messages

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Feb 17 AAP - Jimmy Maher is expected to be Australia's wicket-keeper in the World Cup match against Holland, meaning a break for the bowlers from his hand-written messages.

The mismatch at NorthWest Stadium on Thursday gives unbeaten Australia the chance to rest keeper Adam Gilchrist, promote rusty batsmen Michael Bevan and Darren Lehmann and give one or two of its pace bowling trio a breather.

The clash with a winless Dutch team, including players the Australians have never heard of, promises to be either a whitewash or a washout, if Potchefstroom has another of its torrential afternoon downpours.

Australia is so worried about Gilchrist suffering an injury before a big game that specialist batsman Maher is being given every chance to retain touch and to hone his wicketkeeping skills.

When he fields in regular positions, like he did against Pakistan in Australia's first Cup game, mischievous Maher can't help leaving scribbled notes on the ground for the bowlers, according to Australian coach John Buchanan.

"He will be as happy as a very fat spider behind the stumps and opening the batting," said Buchanan, stealing one of Maher's favourite sayings.

"I'm sure a number of the bowlers will be happy to see him behind the stumps because they won't have to read the little messages he leaves at the top of their bowling marks."

It's believed, in the absence of confirmation, that Maher's messages are not entirely serious nor motivational. He has a sense of humour.

Gilchrist is fit and could play at a pinch but he needs to be kept fresh because his workload is going to be intense next month when Australia starts plotting its course through the Super Sixes and beyond.

"Gilly's fine," said Buchanan.

"He's probably one of the guys who would like to keep going at this stage but I think from our point of view it will be important for Mabo (Maher) to again gain a bit of 'keeping experience and also have an opportunity to bat at the top of the order.

"It helps us cover any possible bases that need to be covered that haven't been done already."

Buchanan has a few hopes for Thursday's game at North West Stadium.

He hopes Potchefstroom will not have one of its huge afternoon thunderstorms, he hopes his gun players don't get injured and he hopes the Dutch play well above their capabilities to give the Australians a decent game.

Never heard of some of the Dutch?

"Definitely, definitely," said Buchanan.

"That can be the case with some of the leading sides, too, although it's less likely, I suppose, because we've basically seen most of those players.

"It's one of the good things about playing the likes of Namibia or Holland or Kenya or even Bangladesh for that matter - we haven't seen too much of them and therefore we don't sit down an analyse the team to death.

"We really just get out there and respond to what they throw at us."

Holland lost its first two games to India and England.

They don't have much to throw.