The world's top-ranked team have been heavily criticised in recent years for their persistent on-field sledging and captain Steve Waugh said the players had been told to clean up their act.

"I've spoken to the side many times over the last couple of years. We've talked about it as a group and it's about taking responsibility for the actions that you perform out on the field," said Waugh on Thursday.

"Teams we play against respect us and we respect them but occasionally things happen and we're trying to rectify those."

Waugh said his team would still be as ruthless as ever against Bangladesh and would try and beat them as quickly as possible.

Most observers are tipping a three-day finish. "That's being a bit presumptuous but there's always a possibility," Waugh said.

"A lot of our Test matches finish in less than five days and that is our goal, to play aggressive, positive cricket and try and finish it early."

After using five bowlers during their recent tour of West Indies, Australia's selectors have reverted back to the traditional tally of three pacemen and one spinner for the match against Bangladesh.

The Asian minnows have not won a single Test since being elevated to full international status three years ago but Waugh said they deserved their chance to compete at the highest level.

"There's been a lot of rubbish written about this Test match in recent weeks. These guys are capable, they've won two games on tour so far, so it's going to be no walkover and we're still going to have to play good cricket," Waugh said.

NO CHANCE

"Obviously they're developing and they haven't won a Test match as yet, but in 10 or 15 years they might be one of the better cricket nations.

"They've got to start somewhere and it doesn't do them any good to continually read a lot of stuff that's been written in the papers. They're much better than that."

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore virtually conceded his team had no chance of winning the match but said he hoped the experience would eventually help them become better players.

"There's no disgrace in losing to a team like Australia...as long as these boys are really keen to improve their own game by going about it the right way," said Whatmore.

"It doesn't matter if you're bowled out for 50 as long as you're showing me you can fight and you're not taking the soft options.

"The skill level's there, no question about that, it's just that sometimes the correct decision isn't made at the right time and that brings about their downfall."

The second and final Test in the series will be played in the tropical Queensland city of Cairns starting next Friday.

Teams:

Australia - Steve Waugh (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Martin Love, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Andy Bichel (12th man).

Bangladesh (from) - Khaled Mahmud (captain), Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar, Monjurul Islam, Masrafe Mortaza, Al Sahariar Rokon, Khaled Mashud, Mohammed Rafique, Anwar Hossain, Sanwar Hossain, Mohammad Ashraful, Tapash Kumar, Tareq Aziz, Alok Kopali, Hannan Sarker.