There will be only a couple of years for Great Britain to enjoy his services before Andy Murray finds that trying to carry his nation through one Davis Cup tie after another loses its lustre. This weekend, on Wimbledon's No1 Court, the onus will be on the world No4 to win two matches or the country's chances of victory over Austria are positioned somewhere between slim and none.

Murray knows it, his team-mates are aware of it, the captain shudders whenever he reaches for his right knee or expresses a doubt about participation and the LTA dares not contemplate further flirtations with relegation. The February debacle in Argentina apart, when the US Open runner-up waited a little too long to tell the team that he would rather not play, Murray's devotion to the cause has been excellent, although more and more, home ties will have to be played on the surface of his choosing.

That is unless someone else - hopefully two or three others - makes a breakthrough. Britain were in this dire situation through much of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski's time, as they had to play a singles each and doubles together for the nation to keep its head above water. Even then, Britain did not win a World Group tie in their time in the side.

Henman lost interest in the event, retired, then returned. Murray witnessed their travails and was in attendance to see Rusedski and, this time a year ago, Henman take their bows and exeunt omnes.

Britain defend a 7-3 record against Austria in the World Group play-off starting today, having won the two times that they have played on grass, the last in 1991 in Didsbury, Manchester, when Mark Petchey, Murray's former coach, recorded a four-set win over Thomas Muster, the former world No1.

If Alex Bogdanovic can raise himself to those levels against Jürgen Melzer in today's first singles match, the British cause will look decidedly healthy. Bogdanovic has lost each of his four live rubbers in the competition and John Lloyd, the captain, can only hope that the Belgrade-born 24-year-old can carry the manner of his ball-striking on the practice court into the serious business. Murray should be too good for Alexander Peya, but the doubles will be critical and if Austria prevail tomorrow, Britain supporters will be peering at Sunday's play between their fingers.

Which is why the progress of those in their mid and late teens needs to be swift. Lloyd chose to co-opt three who have just come out of the junior system - Dan Cox, Marcus Willis and Dan Smethurst - into the squad so they could sense a little of the special atmosphere that the Davis Cup engenders.

The first three nights, they shared a room at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, southwest London, and on Wednesday they were allowed the full trappings of the Chelsea hotel that is the team's base. Today, they head for an ATP Futures tournament in Spain, with ranking points and experience on the menu and no room service available.

This weekend, Rusedski makes his debut as the captain of a Britain team in a championship, leading a junior Davis Cup squad in the 15-nation finals in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. “I am very demanding, I am asking the boys for more every day and they have responded to it,” Rusedski said. “I'd love to be Davis Cup captain one day, no doubt about it, and these kids most likely will be in that team. They have my personal number and I've told them I'm on call 24/7 if they have any problems.”

If Ashley Hewitt, George Morgan and James Marsalek can step up to the plate in Mexico next week, all well and good. Murray will soon need some help. They may be the ones to provide it.

How they line up

Today (11am) A Bogdanovic v J Melzer, followed by A Murray v A Peya

Tomorrow (1pm) J Murray and R Hutchins v Melzer and J Knowle

Sunday (11am) A Murray v Melzer, followed by Bogdanovic v Peya

Television Live on BBC Two from 11am today