How do you rate Pakistan in the context of the World Cup?
Pakistan are a dangerous side. We’ve seen consistently throughout, especially ICC tournaments, that they win a lot of games and they get themselves in a position to win the tournament. And they had a great Champions Trophy. They’ve got some world-class players. Obviously Babar is in great touch batting at No 3 and holding their batting together. But also they’ve got some world class bowlers. Amir coming back and he looks to be back to his best.
What role can he weather can play in the outcome of the last four teams?
It might play a huge part in the next few days, I think. Next week it starts fine up and looks good across the country for the remainder of the tournament. But it’s important that you get early wins on the board because if they do play a part you don’t want to be on the wrong end of a couple of washouts that might leave you just outside that top four.
Can you do anything to prepare for a game that might not go the full distance?
You just have to make sure you’re as well prepared as you can be. You never bank on rain or anything like that. You always prepare for the full 50-overs and then you work on the spot.
Is Warner still finding his feet?
It’s not a team plan. The last couple of games, the last game in particular, India bowled really well at the start and he hit the field a lot, which as an opening batter, as a top order player when the field is in that you do generally face a high percentage of top bowlers. When the field went out he still hit the fielders, which didn’t give the innings a huge flow, which I know he was disappointed about. But evidence suggests he’ll be back to his dangerous best.
The average over 100 against Pakistan in the recent series, four scores over 50. What can you take from that?
A huge confidence. The way that I played in that series against Pakistan was really pleasing, especially in a couple of big run chases, 280-plus, a charger, to be able to bat really deep, especially in that second game and get a nought out to get us over the line was, I think, was something that I was happy with myself about because it’s an area that I hadn’t really done in the past.
How have you reflected on the actions of Virat Kohli about Steve Smith?
It was all class, wasn’t it? He does a lot of great things for the game. And obviously Steve and Dave have been copping their fair share from the crowd. It was great to see such an influential player standing up for what he believes is right. And it was great to see. It was a nice touch. Regardless of whether they get booed or cheered, that doesn’t faze them too much. I know talking to them, it’s a part of the game, unfortunately, that's going to keep coming up. So sometimes it’s best just not to poke the bear, but we know it’s going to happen.
What have you made of the effectiveness of the bails being used?
It’s a tough one to say because they never are going to change the stumps mid-tournament. It just comes down to a bit of potluck — if you’re on the receiving end or the good end of it. We were obviously on the right end of it last game the one that Davey rolled back onto the stumps early on. The fact it’s happening more and more, I don’t know how much heavier the bails are or if anything can be done about it.
The wickets are different from what you were playing in OTA cricket before.
Coming from the subcontinent, it’s different. There’s just been enough rain around and enough for the wickets to have a little bit in them. There’s a couple times where we’ve used a used wicket which we probably didn’t take too much of an account for in the planning, the last game, and the one at Trent Bridge were both used wickets.
— Courtesy © ICC Business Corporation FZ LLC 2018