Australia v Bangladesh Cricket World Cup: Steve Smith return poses selection dilemma

With Steve Smith poised to return for Australia’s bid for World Cup glory, the selection heat is on three players. But, coach Andrew McDonald hasn’t been in any mood to give his plans away.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald would not reveal which player was going to miss out against Afghanistan had Steve Smith not been struck down with vertigo but confirmed the Aussies would weigh up whether to pick an extra batter or all-rounder when they confront South Africa in a World Cup semi-final next week.

Glenn Maxwell’s miraculous double century on Tuesday night at the Wankhede secured his side a semi-final date with the Proteas and effectively turned Saturday’s final group stage match against Bangladesh into a dead rubber.

McDonald said Australia would not rest players arbitrarily for the date with the lowly Tigers, however the Aussies cancelled a scheduled training session for Thursday night as they reach the home stretch of a long campaign.

Smith was pulled from the XI on matchday as he dealt with vertigo but the Aussies are optimistic he will be available to face Bangladesh.

For myriad reasons, Australia has not once in this tournament been able to call on all 15 players in its squad, but crunch time for the best XI is looming.

Australia's Steve Smith missed the Afghanistan win with Vertigo. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee

Despite a middling tournament, Smith looks to be a lock in the Australian side when fit, meaning the choice for who misses out comes down to Marnus Labuschagne and Marcus Stoinis.

McDonald explained what transpired on Tuesday before Smith was ruled out.

“I never want to divulge medical conversations, but he was battling with his balance on certain shots,” McDonald said on Thursday.

“He went through some running between the wickets as well which probably aggravated it a little bit more, then he went upstairs for some treatment. It was clear that he wasn’t right for the game. Having a fully fit player to come in and perform was an easy decision.”

However when pressed on who that fit player who was otherwise going to miss a spot, McDonald wryly answered: “I don’t recall.”

Cameron Green has featured in Australia’s last two matches. Picture: Money Sharma.

But McDonald was open up enough to say that the decision moving forward was effectively between an all-rounder and a batter, and would ultimately be conditions-based.

“Yeah definitely, and I think it will be based on the surface,” McDonald said.

“If we think that we’ve got a surface that’s challenging in a certain area – playing against spin, or whatever it might be – then you can shift in one direction. If you think you need the bowling coverage, if you think you’re going to get exposed there, then the more bowling options we have, we feel as though we can cover anything that may come up in terms of the opposition batting. Albeit we probably haven’t used those extra all-rounder overs the way the way we would see. I think that’s because of the strength of Glenn Maxwell.

Marnus Labuschagne is another who could make way. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee.

“Him as the second spinner has been really pivotal in the role that he’s played. We talk about him and his batting in one space, but I think his bowling has allowed us to function as a team different to potentially how we saw it coming in and potentially how everyone else saw it coming in.”

Labuschagne is averaging 35.75 at a strike rate of 77.08 with the bat for the tournament, while Stoinis — batting largely at No. 7 — has bowled just 14 overs across the five matches he has played, taking three wickets but going at seven runs an over.

McDonald said Stoinis continued to provide important variety.

“It’s a different type of bowler for different situations,” McDonald said.

“We’ve seen what Stoin’s been able to do with four players out after the first 10 (overs). His ability to bowl a heavy ball, bring energy to the crease, and he’s got some different defensive skills as well. We feel as though he can complement at certain stages the frontline bowling, and then you’ve also got Mitch Marsh who hasn’t done a lot yet but he’s definitely one that now we’ve got to this part of the tournament, his ankle’s good and his body’s good, you may see him increase his impact with the ball.”