Image Credit- Getty
With ideal cricketing conditions, the snow on the
higher peaks melted beneath the sun, and Australia’s Dharamsala nets hinted
they were getting closer to fielding a full strength XI for the first time in
this ODI World Cup.
Batting in the nets for almost 20 minutes without
exhibiting any discomfort, Travid Head—who only missed the previous game due to
a broken left hand—also bowled. Marcus Stoinis, who was sidelined for the
previous game due to a sore calf, bowled for a considerable amount of the
practise and finished with a respectable hit.
However, there is no guarantee that any of them will
return for the game against New Zealand because Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins
wrapped up his press conference prior to training. However, he didn’t duck the
question that has been rather contentious since the previous game: where does
Head bat when he returns, and therefore, where does Mitchell Marsh bat?
All along, it was expected that Steven Smith would
drop a spot, Marsh would bat at No. 3, and Head would return to his opening
position. However, Smith admitted following the most recent match that he was
“a bit shocked” to learn he would have to drop to No. 4.
Cummins said Smith didn’t take much convincing to
agree to the switch. “I think he said himself, do whatever is best for the
team,” Cummins said. “And Trav’s been amazing [at the top of the
order] over the last 12 months. Mitch Marsh at the top has been amazing. Davey
Warner’s obviously a superstar up there.
“We think that’s the best way to set up the team
and we’re really excited with how the batting line-up looks like. No, it’s been
fine. We all do some roles that maybe is not your preference but it’s what’s
best for the team so it’s fine.”