Australia to resist lure of 'Big Four'

Australia are set to resist the temptation to unleash the Big Four quicks in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand on Friday, with John Hastings and Marcus Stoinis battling each other for the final spot in Australia's bowling attack.

The Aussies will wait until the morning of the match at Edgbaston to finalise their XI, with skipper Steve Smith saying one of Hastings or Stoinis will be included to bat at No.8.

LIVE: England v Bangladesh, Champions Trophy

It's expected that Victorian James Pattinson will miss out, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins set to lead the attack.

"We're going to have a look at the conditions in the morning, see what the forecast is like, and we'll decide our final XI then," Smith said in Birmingham, where some rain is scheduled on Friday.

"I don't think we'll end up going with the four big quicks. We've got a couple of options there as allrounders.

"Stoinis did very well in New Zealand in the last series, and Hastings has done very well for us over in these conditions. He's a little bit slower than the others and hits the seam and has some good skills throughout the middle as well."

Stoinis produced one of the greatest performances in Australian ODI history earlier this year, when he stunned the Black Caps with a three-wicket haul and a magnificent 146 at Eden Park in just his second match.

The 27-year-old was under a cloud coming into the tournament due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the Indian Premier League, but Smith said the WA-born allrounder has been bowling as fast as anyone at training this week.

The skipper said the fact the right-hander's incredible breakout performance came against the same team the Aussies will play on Friday will have no bearing on selection.

Quick Single: Smith wary of Black Caps quicks

"It probably doesn't matter a great deal," he said.

"It's obviously slightly different conditions here to New Zealand ... different ground, different circumstances. A few guys are back in the team. So we'll wait and see what we feel is the best option tomorrow.

"He actually felt just as quick as some of the other quicks, to be honest, in the nets. He's coming along nicely."

Batting powerhouse Chris Lynn is set to earn a recall to bat in the middle order for what will be just his second one-day international, while Aaron Finch seems certain to resume his partnership with David Warner at the top of the order.

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson said he would also reveal his XI on match morning, adding the foot injury that is being managed by opener Tom Latham won't rule him out of the game.

Likely Australia XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, John Hastings/Marcus Stoinis, Patrick Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Other squads: Every Champions Trophy squad

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh.

Group B: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

Schedule

Warm-up matches

26 May – Australia d Sri Lanka by two wickets, The Oval

27 May – Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by two wickets, Edgbaston

28 May – India d New Zealand by 45 runs (D/L Method), The Oval

29 May – Australia v Pakistan no result, Edgbaston

30 May – New Zealand d Sri Lanka by six wickets, Edgbaston

30 May – India d Bangladesh by 240 runs, The Oval

Tournament

1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day)

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)