Australia are not scheduled to play any ODI cricket between the time the duo becomes available for national duty and the World Cup, but Mike Hussey believes that shouldn’t prevent them from being automatic selections for the marquee event.

As such, the two played ODI cricket last in January 2018. But Australia have had a terrible run in the format in recent times, meaning alternatives for Smith and Warner – at least at the moment – are few.

“I initially thought that Aaron Finch is best suited to the top of the order and he probably still is – he can be so dynamic and destructive getting off to fast starts,” said Hussey, even as he added that his views on that had started to “soften”.

“I think about his combination with David Warner over the last few years from around that World Cup time in 2015, and when they got Australia off to a flying start then Australia won just about every single game. It’s probably the best spot for him. However, I have seen him bat in the middle order in T20 games at the IPL over the last couple of seasons and he does an amazing job. He really is a natural in that role.

“He comes in and seems find the middle of the bat straight away, he seems to be able to find the boundary straightaway even if the field is back – he’s got power to be able to clear the fence. I’ve been really impressed with how he’s played in that middle-order role.”