Australia's World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Brisbane on Saturday remained in serious doubt as heavy rain, the legacy of Tropical Cyclone Marcia, drenched the city's famed Gabba ground.

Marcia, a category five storm which slammed into the Queensland coast late Thursday causing widespread devastation, had been downgraded to a tropical low on Saturday.

However, forecasters still expected another 45mm-120mm of rain to swamp the stadium, adding to the 77mm which had already fallen on the Queensland city since Friday, according to a report by broadcasters, ABC.

Despite the gloomy outlook, organisers were still hopeful of some action even if it meant a reduced-overs encounter at the 42,000-capacity ground which would at least cushion the financial blow of having to refund ticket holders.

"World Cup organisers appreciate the difficulties the weather is causing for ticket holders to today’s match at the Gabba between Australia and Bangladesh. Our thoughts are with people who have been adversely affected," said an International Cricket Council statement.

"As the forecast for Brisbane has improved somewhat, there is a chance at this stage that play can go ahead today, perhaps with reduced overs. 

"While that chance exists, match officials will try to give the teams the chance to compete for maximum points as there are no reserve days during the pool stage of the tournament."

If the Pool A match is called off before each side has faced 20 overs, a no-result will be declared and the teams awarded a point apiece.

Gabba head groundsman Kevin Mitchell had admitted he wasn't optimistic the day-night game, set for a 0330 GMT start, would go ahead.

"Obviously with the forecast of the cyclone moving down the coast it doesn't look that great. You are always hopeful but it is not promising," Mitchell told the Australian Associated Press.

He added it could take hours to prepare the field -- if the torrential rain stopped.

"The way the system is tracking it will be north of Brisbane around lunch time Saturday," he said.

"And considering it is a wide system, it will be a long time to go until it eases."

Australia captain Michael Clarke was set to return to the team after missing the co-hosts' opening 111-run win over England in Melbourne last weekend as he continued to recover from his long-standing hamstring injury.