Having made it to the final of the tri-series gives Australia some sort of freedom going into the match against India at the SCG. Captain, George Bailey, said the team will continue to remain flexible in their approach when it comes to the team combination, even going into the World Cup.
"I still think one of our great strengths throughout the tournament is going to be our flexibility,” Bailey said. “I think we've seen that already, sometimes through necessity, but just having the flexibility to be able to bring someone when it's appropriate, use different quicks in games, use different quicks at different stages of the game.
“I'm glad the coach knows what's going on, but I think our great strength will be the fact that all 15 in our squad will be able to play a role at some stage.”
On Mitchell Johnson’s injury, Bailey said that while the fast bowler is fit and bowling at his usual pace, they will give him some more time to prepare before playing him.
"I faced him last night and that's never pleasant, so his pace was still pretty good,” he said of Johnson. “He's had another hit out today. He's going reasonably well. I don't think he'll play tomorrow but he'll be building up for Perth. He's really close and knowing how excited the quicks get in Perth I'd imagine he'd be pretty keen to have a crack there.”
Bailey also said he will be glad if his pace attack would bring in more consistency in their performance. "We’re always looking for a complete performance. With younger guys like Starc, Pattinson and Gurinder Sandhu it is a pretty young bowling attack. They were a little bit off the other day and particularly in international cricket you've only got to be a little bit off and they'll make you pay.
“But it’s really pleasing the way those guys found a way to bounce back and pull it back at the end with some pretty specific plans for individual batsmen and some really good skills that are specific to how those guys bowl.
Bailey said that Mitchell Marsh could come in to strengthen the bowling at the SCG. “He’s pulled up really well. He's a good chance. If playing he'll be expected to bowl.”
The Aussie skipper was also impressed with Josh Hazlewood who made his Test debut against India. “He bowled last night so he was as consistent as ever. It felt like his pace was really good. We saw a short hit-out for him today, once again his pace looked good and his rhythm is really good. He's certainly keen to get back out there.”
