Aust win world short course swim bronze

Australia have picked up a freestyle relay bronze medal on the opening night of the world short course swimming championships in Doha.

Olympic gold medallist Kylie Palmer teamed up with three young talents - Leah Neale, Brianna Throssell and Madi Wilson - to finish third (7:38.59) in the 4x200m relay behind a world record-breaking Netherlands (7:32.85) and China (7:37.02).

She said picking up the medal on Wednesday night local time was a surprise given the makeshift nature of the team.

"(We were) not expecting anything and to come away with a bronze medal is amazing, these girls have got an awesome future," Palmer said.

Australia will be out to add to its medal tally on Thursday night, with Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mitch Larkin back in the pool after qualifying fastest for the 100m backstroke final.

Olympic silver medallist Emily Seebohm and Wilson will also both compete in the women's 100m backstroke final.

London Olympian Tommaso D'Orsogna will line up against South African star Chad Le Clos in the 100m butterfly final.