Midland sprinters Marlon Devonish and Mark Lewis-Francis open their pre-Commonwealth Games campaigns with a tough encounter next week in Australia.
Coventry Godiva sprinter Devonish and Birchfield Harrier Lewis-Francis will compete over 100 metres at the Athletics Australia Invitational meeting on Saturday, February 18 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The MCG will also host the Commonwealth Games track and field programme from March 19-26 for the first time in 50 years.
The British duo have been training together in Sydney and will line up against Joshua Ross, Ambrose Ezenwa and Patrick Johnson, the first three across the line in last week's Telstra Australian trials.
"The Australian sprinters are flying, they just haven't had great conditions. I was in the stands on Friday night in Sydney watching the 100m final," said Devonish, who was hoping for a victory from Matt Shirvington.
"We were barracking for Shirvo who we train with, but I was impressed with all of them."
Devonish will contest both the 100 and 200m when the Games track and field programme gets underway.
He added: "I went to the MCG last year and it was an amazing coliseum, so I can't wait to get back there to race on the track.
