Australia Fire as Big Guns return but Challenge in India awaits

Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon, from ABC News, look at the change in Australia’s form now that they have moved into one-day mode against the Kiwis

Two convincing victories against New Zealandseems to have Australia back where everyone expects them to be. But there’s more to come...

Geoff Lemon: I thought that tales of Australia’s one-day cricket demise were premature after the second-stringers got zonked by South Africa. The full-strength lot have been just as ruthless against New Zealand the last few days.

Adam Collins: Sure were. Steve Smith said this is about continuing to help ease the pain of the South Africa debacle and get the summer back on track. Worked out pretty nicely, various big dogs coming into some red hot form ahead of the marquee Tests.

GL: Dave Warner hasn’t had a marquee year in Test cricket, but he’s been ridiculous in the one-day stuff. Not crazy attacking, but crazy consistent.

AC: He had the Midas touch running the limited-overs teams in Sri Lanka as well. He said after his ton the other night that ODI cricket was his least-best format coming into the year. But he’s found this ability to actually shift down gears. Unexpected from the little mauler, but super effective.

GL:Yeah, six tons this year, as opposed to four from 2009 to 2015. Then when Sniffer Smith comes out to bat, he just never looks like he’s going to get out. Everyone’s surprised when he finally cocks it up. And you don’t think of ODI being Smith’s format either, but he’s been so effective since late 2014.

AC: Over 6,200 runs in all international formats since 2013: only Kohli and Williamson edge him out on that measure. It’s that absurd grip on the bat with the top hand rotated counter-clockwise – like standing the wrong way on a surfboard or something – which opens up so much more of the leg-side. Works very well in the final ten overs with all the men out.