India vs Australia 2017: Captain Doubtful For First T20I
Updated - 07 Oct 2017, 11:02 AM
Even before the start of the T20I series, Australia have suffered a huge injury scare as their skipper Steve Smith is doubtful for the upcoming first T20I, scheduled to be played on Saturday (October 7) in Ranchi. The right-handed batsman is currently having a problem with his shoulder and had undergone an MRI scan on his shoulder after taking part in a training session on Thursday. He also did not practice for most of Friday’s night session.
The captain could only stand and see his teammates completing fielding drills before he headed to the nets for some throw downs with batting coach Graeme Hick. However, he soon made his way towards the team room.
Later, he was seen having a long discussion with team doctor Richard Saw and physio Alex Kountouris as well as selector Mark Waugh, coach David Saker and head of high performance Pat Howard. A decision on his availability will be taken at the very last moment, that is just before the toss.
In case, Smith fails to recover from the niggle, his deputy David Warner is set to lead the side. Moreover, Smith’s absence is likely to lead to a promotion in the batting order for the under-pressure Glenn Maxwell. The hard-hitting batsman had opened the innings in the past but he is unlikely to be promoted at the top of the order where Warner and Aaron Finch are going strong. Maxwell is likely to bat at number 3 in the first game.
Speaking ahead of the first game, Australia wicketkeeper Tim Paine spoke about Australia’s flexible batting lineup and hinted that Warner and Finch are more than likely to open the innings.
“We’re really lucky that we’ve got a really flexible batting order,” wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine said.
“Glenn has opened the batting in a few Twenty20s for Australia in the subcontinent and has done really well.
“But Finchy and Davey Warner are probably two of the better T20 opening batsman in the world so I’d expect they would probably open. But I’m really not sure. It’s great that we’ve got the flexibility and there’s a number of guys who could do it,” he added.
