Aussies leapfrog India in rankings despite neither team playing, Starc returns to form in IPL
Australia have reclaimed top spot in the ICC's Test rankings, replacing India. Despite not playing since winning 2-0 in New Zealand in March, Pat…
Australia will field a full-strength line-up for their one-day clash with Ireland with debutant Joe Burns set to open the batting.
Thursday’s clash in Belfast will double as Steve Smith’s full captaincy debut, and he’ll have the experience of Shane Watson, George Bailey and his deputy David Warner to call on.
For Burns, who made his Test debut in last summer’s home series against India, it is an early opportunity to showcase his wares as an opener – and potentially push for a return to the Test line-up in the opening role vacated by the retired Chris Rogers.
“I think any time you play for Australia, you want to perform,” Smith said.
“You’ve seen (chief selector) Rod Marsh say it before – if you’re scoring runs at the one-day international level, you can put your hand up for other formats of the game as well.
“So I know those guys are looking forward to this tour.
“Joe has been over here and played a bit of cricket in England so knows these conditions quite well.
“I’m looking forward to seeing those guys step up.”
Despite coming off a gruelling Ashes campaign, selectors have opted against resting paceman Mitchell Starc, with the World Cup star spearheading an attack also featuring tearaway Pat Cummins.
Smith admits he will have to monitor the fitness of Starc throughout the series, with a two-Test tour of Bangladesh in October looming – as well as series against the West Indies and New Zealand awaiting in the Australian summer.
“Yeah, I guess so. He’s played five back-to-back Test matches,” Smith said.
The Ireland fixture is Australia’s first one-day match since winning the World Cup in February, and shapes as vital practice ahead of a five-match series against England which will follow.
Australia: Joe Burns, David Warner, Steve Smith (capt), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile.
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