- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
An influx of new players, including three uncapped young guns, will ensure there is no Ashes hangover which drifts into Australia’s one-day campaign.
Australia handed back the Ashes to England following a disappointing 3-2 series defeat which led to the sudden retirement of captain Michael Clarke and left the futures of several senior players in limbo.
But new captain Steve Smith is confident his new group will be unaffected.
Eight members of the 15-man limited-overs squad, including uncapped trio Joe Burns, Ashton Agar and Marcus Stoinis, have been flown in specifically for the one-day component of the tour, which starts on Thursday with a ODI clash with Ireland in Belfast.
Paceman Pat Cummins was a late call-up for the Ashes, following the pre-series injury to Ryan Harris, and didn’t play a Test – and veteran allrounder Shane Watson only featured in the opening fixture in Cardiff.
But despite the lingering pain clinging to some of the group, Smith said it wouldn’t be a factor.
“It’s been a tough tour for us. It’s disappointing to have lost the Ashes,” Smith said.
“(But we have a) new group now with some younger, newer guys who hopefully can bring some exuberance and energy to help lift the spirits a bit and help get back on track (and) hopefully start my career in captaincy on this one-day tour on a winning note.”
Smith, meanwhile, expects to face a tricky proposition in his first official assignment as Australian captain against an Irish outfit who were desperately unlucky not to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in February.
Ireland were edged out of the knockout stages by the West Indies on net run rate, despite beating the Calypso Kings in their opening fixture of the tournament.
“I think they’re an improving side,” Smith said.
“They’ve got some good players that can take a game away from you a little bit.
“We’re going to continue to try and emulate what we did in the World Cup and, hopefully, start off our tour on a high note.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.