Manager quashes fears Smith will miss World Cup
The management of former captain Steve Smith has confirmed the star player will miss the one-day series against Pakistan as selectors use upcoming matches in India as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Cricket Australia remain uncertain when Smith will return to the field after elbow surgery with an update expected after he has his arm out of a brace at the end of this month.
Smith's agent Warren Craig insists he will need only a further "three and a half weeks" before he is ready to play and refuted a report suggesting the batsman would miss the World Cup and instead prepare for the Ashes with games for Australia A.
Smith is eligible to represent Australia from March 29 but his injury will prevent him from getting the match practice coach and selector Justin Langer said he wants before recalling him to the national side for the games against Pakistan.
The schedule for that series is yet to be released but it's understood two games fall after the suspension expires.
Smith and Warner will use the Indian Premier League to get matches under their belts before the World Cup squad is named.
"Until the brace comes off we don't know for sure but all current opinion is that he'll then have about three and a half weeks [before being ready to play]," Craig told cricket.com.au.
"The intent is that he will play in the IPL and then the World Cup and then the Ashes."
Langer has said a lack of games is the only obstacle Smith and Warner, who is also recovering from elbow surgery, need to overcome to play in the World Cup.
Selectors will name a touring party this week for the campaign in India that is expected to closely mirror their plans for the defence of their title. Australia have two Twenty20s and five ODIs before heading to the UAE to take on Pakistan.
It's likely Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will return to the 50-over set up after missing last month's series against India to prepare for the Tests against Sri Lanka.
Despite missing their first-choice attack, Australia were competitive against India, losing 2-1. In both defeats they pushed India into the final over of their run chase.
Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake, who was dropped by Adelaide in the Big Bash League, are the bowlers at most risk of losing their place in the squad.
Australia revamped their one-day side last month with Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb replacing Chris Lynn and D'Arcy Short.
The recalled pair will need strong displays in India and the UAE if they are to keep Smith and Warner at bay.
Batting in the middle order, Handscomb performed well against India with scores of 73, 20 and 58. The Victorian's proficiency against spin was one of the reasons he was brought back.