Weather officials say the two-Test series beginning on Sunday could be disrupted by rain and tropical rainstorms which occur frequently in Bangladesh between March and May.

The world's top Test side begin their maiden Test tour of Bangladesh in ominous form following last week's historic 3-0 series rout in South Africa.

"After a successful series in South Africa, we want to make sure we win this series as well," Australian captain Ricky Ponting [Images] told reporters on Friday.

"It was a long hard (South Africa) tour but we want to make sure we are 100 per cent ready before the series starts."

Bangladesh have lost 37 of the 42 Tests they have played since earning Test status in 2000 and would be happy if they can even stretch the Tests beyond three days.

Their only Test victory to date was against a depleted Zimbabwe last year.

They suffered innings defeats in their only two previous Tests they played against Australia on their tour of 2003, the first of which lasted only 2-1/2 days.

Leg spinners Shane Warne [Images] and Stuart MacGill loom as a huge threat for home batsmen on a slow pitch at the new stadium built on the outskirts of capital Dhaka.

Warne, Test cricket's highest wicket-taker, missed the 2003 series due to a doping suspension when MacGill stepped up to scalp 17.

LEARNING CURVE

Ponting said it would be a learning curve for the hosts.

"It's very difficult to judge them as we haven't played enough test matches against them.

"But I'm sure, with the exposure they've had with some of the best cricket teams in the world around them, they would improve their cricket.

"The more exposure they are given, they will keep improving."

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore acknowledged the unenviable task his players faced despite some gritty one-day efforts, saying: "We are still number 10 and they are still number one".

However, captain Habibul Bashar refused to be intimidated.

"True, they have lot of world class players and they have been dominating Test cricket for many years," he told Reuters.

"We respect them fully but we are not afraid at all."

"We've nothing to lose in the series, everything to gain. It will be a great motivation for us."

Australia will not get to play in the popular Bangabandhu stadium in Dhaka after authorities last year handed over the stadium exclusively for soccer despite public protests.

The second Test will be played in Chittagong from April 16, followed by three one-dayers in Chittagong (April 23) and Fatullah (April 26 and 28).