Candid White aware of 'short window'

Veteran batter Cameron White admits his unexpected lifeline to Australia's one-day side is likely to be his last chance at securing a long-term berth in national colours. 

After taking up the option of playing for his KFC BBL club Melbourne Renegades on Monday, White conceded he's feeling the heat as he looks to make the most of his shock recall to Australia's ODI side in their five-match Gillette Series against England.

The right-hander has made 15 not out and 17 in his two hits so far, and was promoted to No.3 for the third ODI in Sydney, where England sealed the series by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead.

At 34 years old and with Australia in the midst of its worst ever ODI slump - 10 defeats from their last 11 completed games - a candid White knows the next two matches will be vital in determining his international future.

"I'm not stupid, I've got to make the most of my next opportunity if I get one," White told reporters after the Renegades lost to Adelaide Strikers on Monday. "That's where it is. 

"The ball's in my court, I need to do something.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, but it's hard not to. I'm realistic – it's only going to be a short window to try and do something. 

"I feel under pressure for sure."

While Australia have already squandered the ODI series, the final two games in Adelaide and Perth loom as vital for the likes of White to prove they fit into Australia's long-term plans.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said the panel will review "the type of player" they want to feature in the 50-over side ahead of next year's World Cup in the United Kingdom.

England's cavalier approach to batting in the one-day format has likely sparked at least one mid-series tactical move made by Australia; the powerful White’s shift to first-drop and Steve Smith’s move to No.4 could be viewed as a nod to their Ashes rival's blueprint, which relies on the measured approach of Joe Root at four balancing out his more aggressive fellow batsmen.

"I think I’ll probably do it (bat at No.4) for the rest of the series," Smith said after Sunday’s loss.

"We’ll see how we go, (I've) just got to play some better cricket.

"It was about me trying to control the middle with the spinners and just keep getting off strike."

Although White says he's been given no assurances of an extended run at No.3, the position is statistically – albeit from a limited sample - his best position in ODIs. He's scored 217 runs at 54 in four hits at first drop and struck his maiden international ton from that spot against England in Southampton in 2009. 

The 50-over game has undoubtedly changed since White was a mainstay in Australia's one-day side (between 2007 and 2011) but his dominant form in one-day cricket for Victoria in recent seasons as well as in the ongoing Big Bash suggests the modern game has not passed him by.

"I feel like No.3 three suits me, it's a good spot," White said. 

"I've batted there for Australia before, made hundreds there before and batted at the top of the order for Victoria as well. 

"I enjoy the ball coming on to the bat early. Adelaide, if I get an opportunity, is as good a place as any to bat. It's my opportunity at the moment, I've got to grab it. 

"Hopefully I get an opportunity on Friday and make some runs."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI England won by five wickets at the MCG

Second ODI England won by four wickets at the Gabba

Third ODI England won by 16 runs at the SCG

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

Australia T20 squad: David Warner (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21