Finch heeds incoming storm warning

Aaron Finch expects he'll lean on the tactical nous of former captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner when they return to the one-day side, but insists he's not oblivious the likely storm of attention their comebacks will generate.

Smith and Warner briefly met up with Australia's one-day squad last week in Dubai en route to joining their respective Indian Premier League sides, enjoying a casual drink with their soon-to-be teammates before an open discussion on team values.

Ricky Ponting has warned the pair's likely returns in the United Kingdom for the World Cup will spark an intense media storm, which Finch says the reigning 50-over champions must be wary of.

"The reality is there's going to be a lot written and said about their returns. We'd be very naive if we didn't expect that," Australia's limited-overs skipper told reporters in Dubai ahead of their five-ODI series against Pakistan.

"But for us it's about concentrating on what we can do as a side … It might just be not reading the news for a couple of days, which is at times easier said than done.

"You just have to go about your own business and make sure you don't let that become a distraction and at the end of the day, they're not the ones writing articles or pushing their own (agendas).

"It's important to remember it is going to be what other people's opinions are and that's not always reality."

Smith and Warner are both on the recovery trail from elbow surgery, with the IPL to form a key part of their paths back to international cricket following their 12-month bans from last year's ball-tampering scandal.

Finch suggested the duo would be returning to a much different environment to the one they left in Cape Town.

"It was a really good few hours we had with them," Finch said. "It's always a bit tougher when it's just in a meeting-type setting, but it was good to get them in and for the boys to just go to the bar and have a beer with them the night before, to sort of break the ice a little bit for the next day.

"They came in with almost bright eyes. It's a totally different setup to when they left it.

"What's important is they're really keen to slot back into how this current side works and what we've been doing really well.

"They were probably as nervous as anyone coming back into the group - you'd think guys with 20-odd Test hundreds would just come back in (seamlessly). But it is a different time and they have been out for quite a while.

"But their respect for the group and everything was fantastic. I think it's about managing not just their expectations - but everyone's expectations - first up."

Warner has been barred from ever holding a leadership position in Australian cricket again, while Smith can't captain for a further 12 months after his ban lapses next week.

But a combined tally of 451 international matches between them across all formats does not disappear overnight, and Finch expects he'll tap into their knowledge as he would any other senior player.

"You use them tactically, no doubt," said Finch. "They're such great resources to have as a captain when you're out on the field.

"It'd be silly not to use them. There might be days you don't use them at all, there might be days you use them a lot … every situation is different in a game.

"It's important you lean on them when you need to.

"But them going about their own business and preparing and getting their mind right to play is the most important thing for the side."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: v Pakistan, March 22 in Sharjah

Second ODI: v Pakistan, March 24 in Sharjah

Third ODI: v Pakistan, March 27 in Abu Dhabi

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

(all matches begin at 10pm AEDT)