Steve Smith has admitted that it is a "new era" for Australia as they prepare to face Ireland in a one-day international on Thursday.

The meeting with Ireland in Belfast will be the first time Smith has captained the side since Michael Clarke's retirement at the end of the Ashes series, and the new skipper is excited by what is to come from the new faces.

"I guess it's a new era in a way for Australian cricket," he told reporters. "We've got some experienced players around and we've got some young guys around as well, I think we've got a good mix together.

"We've got to continue playing the aggressive brand of cricket that we've done so well and continue to improve.

"We've got to continue to raise the bar. We're number one in the world, but everyone's going to be after us so we're going to have to keep improving to stay in that spot."

Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood will be rested on Thursday as Australia warm up for the limited-overs matches with England.