Gilchrist said the fact Australia had “limited” ODIs in the lead up to the Sri Lanka series didn’t help with their form, as he predicted a “tough tournament” ahead in Pakistan.“Marnus has done well under pressure, so I’m sure he’s going to be spoken about for that first one-day match in Pakistan,” he said after […]
Gilchrist said the fact Australia had “limited” ODIs in the lead up to the Sri Lanka series didn’t help with their form, as he predicted a “tough tournament” ahead in Pakistan.“Marnus has done well under pressure, so I’m sure he’s going to be spoken about for that first one-day match in Pakistan,” he said after the 174-run loss on Friday.


“It was about everyone trying to get some time in the middle. “We were certainly trying a few different things.Is Steve Smith as opener the answer to Australia’s ODI batting woes?The Aussies will be without pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc, while Mitch Marsh is injured and Marcus Stoinis has retired from international duties.They’ll first play England in the Champions Trophy on Saturday February 22 before their other pool matches against South Africa and then Afghanistan.
“It might fall not off the cliff but fall over the wayside by focus.”Labuschagne missed the second ODI loss – where Australia was rolled for just 107 to post their second biggest loss to Sri Lanka – but Smith remains adamant his omission wasn’t purely form based.“Obviously a huge summer … I think a lot of nations probably will focus more on 50-over cricket when it’s World Cup years,” he said.“We haven’t played one-day cricket for a little while and it was about getting back into the rhythm of it.”Get all the latest cricket news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!While the opener combination is one problem to solve, the form of Labuschagne is another for selectors.“They wanted me behind them. So that was a big part of it. And then, obviously, I’ve got a decent record at four.”