In Australia\u2019s heavy 2-0 ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, Smith made 12 and 29 as a middle-order batter. But with young Jake Fraser-McGurk in an inconsistent run of form, Gilchrist feels Smith has to open the batting, though he finds Matt Short as an interesting option to partner with Travis Head at the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a challenging one at the moment, but Steve Smith should open. I didn\u2019t see where he was slotted in the game against Sri Lanka. Obviously, Travis is going to be there \u2013 he\u2019s fresh and fit. I also like Matt Short being there \u2013 he can form a nice left hand-right hand combination \u2013 that would be the preferred way for me to go.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut I do think Steve Smith can open \u2013 we have seen him do that in 20-over cricket really well. Maybe he\u2019s too valuable in the middle-order, but I can\u2019t see a reason why you wouldn\u2019t want him facing as many balls as possible in a 50 over game. It could be a very viable option to get him up there,\u201d said Gilchrist on ABC Summer Grandstand show on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia, the current ODI World Cup holders, go into the Champions Trophy without their first-choice pacers in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, apart from Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh being unavailable due to injuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Australia to face England, Afghanistan and South Africa in their Champions Trophy league stage games, Gilchrist feels the side could struggle in Pakistan due to their limited preparation for the Champions Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI guess there\u2019s been limited preparation with regards to this format. The Australian team were outstanding in the huge summer \u2013 both men\u2019s and women\u2019s. But a lot of nations will focus on 50-over cricket when it\u2019s a World Cup year certainly in terms of volume of the games and who\u2019s actually playing it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe next ODI World Cup is in 2027 I suppose, so this is an opportunity to experiment and give younger players a go. That might bring with it some mixed results \u2013 once you get into a tournament, it\u2019s just tournament play and find a way to go through the next round.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI guess there\u2019s been limited preparation with regards to this format. The Australian team were outstanding in the huge summer \u2013 both men\u2019s and women\u2019s. But a lot of nations will focus on 50-over cricket when it\u2019s a World Cup year certainly in terms of volume of the games and who\u2019s actually playing it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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