Quicks respond but Zampa recall looms

Australia's pacemen have responded well to their post-match spray from skipper Steve Smith, but the prospect of a worn surface at The Oval has put legspinner Adam Zampa in line for a recall for their ICC Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh on Monday.

The normally measured Smith publically chastised his quicks after a loose display against New Zealand at Edgbaston on Friday, labelling it "probably one of the worst bowling displays that we've put on for a very long time."

Speaking in London on Sunday, Smith joked that a hostile net session on match eve indicated his message had struck a nerve with spearheads Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

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"I know they were pretty fiery in the nets today, I copped quite a few short ones," he said with a smile. "So, maybe they’re listening, which is good.

"Nah, as I said it wasn't our best performance. Hopefully it was a little bit of rust and hopefully that is gone now and we can carry on playing the way we have.

"I think we have got a class bowling attack, the three big quicks that we have that played last game, and Hasto (John Hastings) obviously. There are some quality bowlers in there so hopefully they can bring their A-Game tomorrow."

Smith confirmed all the Australian players and staff were safe following the London terror attacks on Saturday, adding he was “shocked and saddened” by the incident at London Bridge and the Borough Markets.

The team were urged to remain vigilant at a security briefing on Sunday morning and Smith said the players was comfortable with the tournament continuing as planned.

The match in south London on Monday will be played on the same surface that hosted South Africa's win over Sri Lanka on Saturday, and the 90 overs of foot traffic could lead to a recall for Zampa.

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The 25-year-old was the leading ODI wicket-taker in the world in 2016 but played just four of Australia's 10 matches last summer as they reverted to a pace-dominant attack, like they did during their triumphant World Cup campaign in 2015.

The four-wicket haul to Proteas leggie Imran Tahir against Sri Lanka also adds to Zampa's case, while former Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum said on Saturday he believes an attacking spin option is essential in this tournament given the batting-friendly conditions seen so far.

Countering the dry surface at The Oval is the wet weather expected in London on Monday. The match is a day-night fixture that starts at 1.30pm local time, one of just two matches in the entire tournament to not have a 10.30am start time. And a frustrating Monday forecast of morning sunshine before showers after lunch and throughout the evening could make gripping the ball difficult for the Redbacks spinner.

"A used wicket here at The Oval can take some spin," Smith said. "So we've certainly got that in our mind.

"But again, we'll have to have a look tomorrow and see what the conditions look like. And the forecast hasn't been great for the lead in. I think it is improving a little bit today." 

No matter of the result on Monday, Australia's Group A fate is likely to be decided by their pre-Ashes clash against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.

But Smith said he was wary of the vastly-improved Bangladesh side, who lost heavily to England last Thursday despite posting 305 with the bat.

And Tigers skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is expecting another high-scoring game, if the weather holds off, after runs came at more than six-an-over in the first match here and five-and-a-half-an-over on Saturday. 

"One thing is clear, we have to score a large sum," he said.

"Normally 300 in one-day cricket is good enough, but with the circle they have got now, and if the wicket is like this, you have to re-think it."

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy nation

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – New Zealand v Australia, No Result

3 June – Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 96 runs

4 June – India beat Pakistan by 124 runs

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)