Hyderabad: The injured and banned duo of Steven Smith and David Warner are unlikely to take part in Australia’s final two ODIs against Pakistan despite serving out their one-year ball-tampering suspensions during the series to be played in the UAE.
After the conclusion of the ODI series against India, the defending World Champions will take on Pakistan in the five-match series with the fourth and fifth ODIs to be played March 29 and 31 respectively. It will be Australia’s final 50 overs games before the World Cup.
Smith and Warner, both recuperating from elbow surgeries, will find their suspension end March 29 but there are still serious doubts whether they will play the mega event or not. Smith has just started knocking and will take some more time to get fit.
”I don’t think David Warner or Steve Smith will play that game (March 29). I am not a 100% sure on that but I don’t think they will play that last one or two games,” Finch told reporters here Friday on the eve of the first ODI against India.
He also curtly put it when a reporter asked if he sees himself as a stand-in captain now that both Smith and Warner are set to be back. “No, no, I am the captain, yeah,” was his blunt response.
Australia like India are trying to balance the workload of the players before the World Cup. Finch said it is a difficult balancing act.
“Look at Pat (Cummins). He has bowled a lot since the India series in Australia,” pointed out Finch. “I think having no cricket in April will help guys like Pat to freshen up. Again someone like (Mitchell) Starc, who has played no cricket for some time, needs to bowl. The workload of our fast bowlers needs to be balanced. But then again playing 10 ODIs in a month is unchartered territories for our fast bowlers.”
Young batsman Ashton Turner is set to make his debut and the skipper is excited about that prospect. “We have seen how destructive he can be in domestic cricket, so really excited to see him get a go in international cricket as he is such a smart player,” pointed out Finch.
Finch also said that India being a very settled unit, make them a strong side in all conditions. “Their batting is really strong. They have got in Virat, arguably the best player of all time in ODI cricket. Rohit has been in good form. They have quicks, who move the ball upfront and execute really well at the death. They play well everywhere to be pretty fair,” Finch pointed out. “I think they have 14 or 15 guys who are pretty settled with the team. It is a huge advantage.”
PTI