Find out everything you need to know for the Pakistan v Australia ODI series in our ultimate guide!Source: FOX SPORTSTime is quickly running out for Australia to settle its ODI plans before embarking on a World Cup title defence in just over two months’ time.
Luckily for Australia, many long lost answers were found in India earlier this month when it miraculously came from 2-0 down to win the five-match series. The win marked the nation’s first bilateral ODI series victory in its past seven attempts, which stretched back to January 2017.
But there is little time for Australia to rest on its laurels, because Pakistan awaits in another five-match series that is vital to both teams’ World Cup preparations.
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Teams can only take 15 players to the showpiece event, meaning Australia will have to single out its weak links to make room for its absent superstars.
Neither Steve Smith or David Warner will play against Pakistan – despite being available for the final two matches – but are locks for the 15-man World Cup squad.
So are Josh Hazlewood (back) and Mitchell Starc (pec) who will also miss the Pakistan series as they undergo their rehabilitation programs.
While there may have been an abundance of choices to drop for the four players at the start of the year, now it’s almost impossible to pinpoint who the unlucky players should be.
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Almost all of Australia’s batsmen found runs in the previous five-match series. The exception was Shaun Marsh – but you only have took back as far as January when he was billed as Australia’s premiere white-ball player.
Aaron Finch is the other batsman failing to fire more often than not, but he is the captain and his leadership qualities have been regularly praised.
Who makes way for Smith and Warner is as clear as mud, which is why it’s a good thing there’s another five-match ODI series to play before the World Cup.
Australia has taken to the UAE to face Pakistan the same squad that claimed its first series win in India since 2009.
The continuity is a positive sign that Australia has at least narrowed down its options.
Find out everything you need to know for the ODI series in our ultimate guide!
Watto warns Aus about teen
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HOW TO WATCH
Watch the entire series LIVE on Fox Cricket 501!
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now
FIXTURES
Game 1: Pakistan vs Australia Friday March 22 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 10pm (AEDT)
Game 2: Pakistan vs Australia Sunday March 24 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 10pm
Game 3: Pakistan vs Australia Wednesday March 27 at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 10pm
Game 4: Pakistan vs Australia Friday March 29 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 10pm
Game 5: Pakistan vs Australia Sunday March 31 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 10pm
SQUADS
Pakistan
Shoaib Malik, Abid Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Saad Ali, Shan Masood, Umar Akmal, Usman Shinwari, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Hasnain
Australia
Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (vc, wk), Pat Cummins (vc), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa
Smith in strife, Warner fine
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FORM (most recent first)
Pakistan
Lost v South Africa by seven wickets
Won v South Africa by eight wickets
Lost v South Africa by 13 runs
Lost v South Africa by five wickets
Won v South Africa by five wickets
Won v New Zealand by six wickets
Lost v New Zealand by 47 runs
Lost v Bangladesh by 37 runs
Lost v India by nine wickets
Won v Hong Kong by eight wickets
Australia
Won v India by 35 runs
Won v India by four wickets
Won v India by 32 runs
Lost v India by eight runs
Lost v India by six wickets
Lost v India by seven wickets
Lost v India by six wickets
Won v India by 34 runs
Lost v South Africa by 40 runs
Won v South Africa by seven runs
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Pakistan 32-62 Australia, tied 1
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Asked who he was more worried about upon their return to the Australian set up, without missing a beat, he said “Smith”.
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“Because Warner has been in the rough and tumble all his life — you knock him down, he gets back up again, he’s used to it, shakes himself up and goes,” Craddock said. “Smith was knocking at Bradman’s door and suddenly he’s in solitary confinement and has found it really hard. That’s as big a comedown as any Australian cricketer. Everyone I know who knows Warner says he’ll be fine but Steve Smith…”
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After plenty of talk in the lead up to the end of their bans, Craddock is still certain the pair will make the World Cup squad and be important cogs in Australia’s defence.
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And he also thinks Aaron Finch may be looking for a new spot in the order after Usman Khawaja’s incredible performance in India.
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“I cannot have Khawaja not in the World Cup squad opening the batting,” he said. “And I think he opens with Warner. I really like the idea of playing Smith and Warner because look through history, the World Cup is won by heavy duty players, they’re proven Test players. Look through all the stats, Gilchrist, Ponting, Ranatunga. The superstars win you World Cups not the Flash Harry’s.”
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Spin king Shane Warne, who is a brand ambassador for Smith’s IPL team the Rajasthan Royals, he knows the former skipper will be “hungry as ever”.
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“He will be so excited to turn up and play cricket. That’s what he loves doing and that’s what he is very very good at. Smith and Warner are two of the best players in world cricket, I think Smith will be giving a lot and integrate with the team,” Warne told PTI.
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“Having Smith’s experience around and his hunger and passion as the only cricket that is before World Cup, will be a big thing for him. I have no doubt that Smith and Warner will get back to their best as they were before.”
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Warne told Sky Sports News adding Smith and Warner to the Australian team would just make the team better, after an already impressive come-from-behind series victory against India.
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“I think Smith and Warner will be accepted with open arms. They have done their time. They are not bad people, they just made a bad mistake.
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“I have forgiven them. They have done 12 months which was very harsh. I don’t agree with what they did and I was very disappointed in those actions.
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“When you have got that sort of class as a cricketer, they will go straight back into the World Cup squad.
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“The way Australia are playing at the moment, I wouldn’t write them off and I think they can win the World Cup.
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“They have played well here, they have won the last World Cup here in England, they have played in five of the last six World Cup finals, they just beat India in the T20 series and to chase 360 in India is an ominous sign for the rest of the World Cup competition.
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“I think Smith and Warner will be back as good as they ever were. They will be hungry and excited I am expecting some big things from them.”
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