Australian skipper Steve Smith has clarified that David Warner’s participation in the first ODI on Sunday at the MCG and stated that Warner will certainly to play the game.

Warner was down with a bout of illness and rumors started spreading that he might get to play the first ODI. However, with Smith clarifying that Warner will play the match, the matter seems to be put to rest.

As quoted in cricbuzz, Steve said, “I think he’s ok, he was having a bit of a gastro issue yesterday. He turned up here today and walked the oval a few times. He said he’ll be fine so I don’t think there’ll be any trouble there.”

Since the Champions Trophy, Australia has won only five ODIs out of the 15 matches they have played. On the composition of the team, Smith said, “The middle order has probably been where we have had a bit of an issue. Davey has been exceptional in one-day cricket opening for the past few years, Finchy (Aaron Finch) played well in the last series in India. The middle order is a key area for us to focus on.”

Smith further added, “We need runs out of that area, and wickets in hand to have an onslaught at the back end of the game,” he added. “That’s something we haven’t done, and something we need to work on,” he further added.

Meanwhile, a lot of talks has gone on between the selection of Glenn Maxwell and Smith’s comments surrounding his training methods. Reflecting on it, the Aussie captain said, “That’s between me and Glenn. It was good to catch up, I get on really well with Glenn,” he said. “That’s a big reason (Maxwell’s subpar international form) why he is not here at the moment… we need those runs in the middle and it’s crucial that we find them.”