Australia have brushed aside concerns about Steve Smith’s fitness but a tougher analysis of their Twenty20 tactics still lingers after their World Cup flogging from England.
Smith grabbed at his groin after attempting to create a run-out in the eight-wicket loss in Dubai, showing discomfort after a quick pick up and throw.
He stayed on the field, but for a brief moment the sight would have sent a scare through Tim Paine’s mind back home ahead of the Ashes.
“He’ll be fine,” Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch said.
“He didn’t mention anything. So I’m sure that he will be fine.”
It came as Smith’s place in Australia’s team was questioned by Shane Warne, after Mitch Marsh was dropped to allow a fifth bowler to return in the form of Ashton Agar.
Warne posted on Twitter that Smith should have been the man to make way, after also questioning his place in the Twenty20 team before the tournament.
Disappointing selection from Australia leaving Marsh out & Maxwell batting in the power play (he should always come in after power play). Stoinis should have gone in. Poor strategy & tactics from the Aussies. I love Smith but he shouldn’t be in the T/20 team. Marsh has to be !!
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) October 30, 2021
Smith’s career strike rate remains above Marsh’s, and he can play the anchor role when moved up to No.3 rather than need to be a power hitter.
He top-scored in Australia’s two warm-up games and opening win over South Africa, but scored just one when Warne claimed selectors had erred on Saturday.
“That’s just subjective, isn’t it?” Finch responded when quizzed on Smith’s selection,
“Everyone’s got a different opinion on it. And that’s okay, we thought we picked the team to to win the game tonight.
“It was not a reflection on how Mitch has been going at all, it was purely just a match-up.”
Also questioned was Australia’s decision to send Glenn Maxwell out at No.4 in the third over during the powerplay, before he fell LBW for six.
Australia had both Marcus Stoinis and Matt Wade in their team, who have regularly opened in the Big Bash and the latter having regularly filled the role for Australia recently.
“When you’ve only got six specialist betters your backing your top six to get the job done,” Finch said.
“So there’s no issues there.
“Maxi has done extremely well in in the past. He’s as destructive as anyone if he gets through the powerplay.”
But what Finch won’t cop is the suggestion Australia are not up to the task in T20 cricket.
Australia now face must-win games against Bangladesh and West Indies, as they battle with South Africa to progress out of their group alongside England.
“It wasn’t too long ago that we were No.1 in the world,” Finch said.
“So I still think that we’re a very good team in T20 international cricket.
“Everyone’s got their own opinion. So that doesn’t doesn’t really matter. What matters is results.”
© AAP
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