Heat rises for opening World Cup match
Stuart Broad senses Australia won’t make the World Cup final and Eoin Morgan has doubted Mitchell Johnson’s ability to swing the ball.
Aaron Finch couldn’t care less.
Speaking after Johnson returned to rattle England in last week’s tri-series final, England captain Morgan remarked his side’s woes had nothing to do with the fiery left-armer.
“It could have been anyone bowling,” Morgan said of Johnson, who claimed 3-27 to lift Australia to a 112-run win in Perth.
“I don’t think he swung it.”
Broad later predicted Australia would miss the World Cup decider, with the two sides preparing to renew hostilities in their tournament-opener at the MCG on Saturday.
Finch, who scored 61 in his side’s 188-run shellacking of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, was happy to shoulder arms when given the opportunity to fire back.
“I haven’t read a paper for quite a while, I don’t know what the comments are,” Finch said.
“Whatever they think of Mitch – good luck.
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“We’re there to play as well as we can, but we’re very confident going in.”
Johnson also declined to engage in a war of words, declaring earlier this week he had little interest in “mind games”.
The warm-up win over the UAE was a world away from some of the tough contests Australia will face over the next six weeks.
But Finch took heart from the way his side fielded, with Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell claiming outstanding catches to help skittle the UAE for 116.
“We saw it as a really good opportunity to tick a few boxes and make sure everything’s in order come Saturday,” Finch said.
“One thing that can drift along in a warm-up game is fielding, that can peter out to nothing at times.
“The way we ran around in the field, and our energy, was outstanding.”
Mitchell Starc and David Warner were rested from the fixture, with both men certain to play against England.
“When you’ve got four outstanding quicks, someone is going to have to be unlucky,” Finch said.
“Unfortunately 15 doesn’t fit into 11, so there is going to be four blokes sitting out that are very stiff.”
Meanwhile, Michael Clarke is on track to return against Bangladesh, but Australia selectors have ruled him out of Saturday’s World Cup opener.
Clarke was put through his paces during Wednesday’s warm-up game against the United Arab Emirates, top-scoring with 64 and bowling two overs.
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Coach Darren Lehmann noted the 33-year-old pulled up “really well” and was “very keen” to play against England on the weekend.
However, Lehmann and his fellow selectors, team medical staff and Clarke came to the conclusion that February 21 would be a more sensible return date for the captain.
“He’s very keen to play. But we’ve got to make sure when he gets back he’s ready to go and he will be come Saturday week,” Lehmann said.
“Everyone was sitting around talking about it and making sure we make the right decision.
“He just had a chat. He’s respectful of what we’re trying to do to get him right.
“We would have loved to have him available for this first game, but we’re making sure he’s 100 per cent ready to go for Bangladesh.”
In that regard, Clarke still has some progress to make.
Clarke managed an all-run four against the UAE and followed it up with a quick single, suggesting he is shaping up well for the World Cup.
The 33-year-old completed fielding drills after the match, then again on Thursday morning.
“He has a few tests today to do but he’ll pass those no dramas,” Lehmann said, when asked what Clarke needed to do to play against Bangladesh.
“It’s making sure he gets into the fielding side of it in the next week and just ticks that off.
“We’re going to stick with the plan and he’ll play against Bangladesh.”
A month ago, chief selector Rod Marsh nominated February 21 as Clarke’s final fitness deadline with the veteran to be dropped from the squad if he is not up to scratch then.
Clarke was initially given little hope of being fit in time, but has exceeded expectations in his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Lehmann noted Clarke’s part-time spin would be required during Australia’s World Cup campaign.
“He’s a very astute leader in that regard. When he comes back he’ll bowl, depending on the situation of the game,” he said.
– AAP
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