Birmingham: It was a familiar dance when Steve Smith took questions ahead of Australia's Champions Trophy campaign, beginning against New Zealand at Birmingham on Friday. Inevitably, all roads returned to the ugly pay spat.
Determined to retain his side's focus on the job at hand, when asked about player discussions following meetings in England this week with the Australian Cricketers' Association, the captain's bat was initially straight.
![Steve Smith is trying to stay focused on the Champions Trophy.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170602041227im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/f/z/d/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwi3c9.png/1496323315564.jpg)
"We're right behind [the ACA] and what they are trying to do for the players and as partners of the game as well," he said. "We fully support them in everything they are doing."
Put to Smith whether he is in a difficult position with his players and their representatives muscling up to Cricket Australia more by the day, he was again happy to leave well alone.
"We are focusing on this tournament," he said. "These are the big tournaments and the ones you really want to win. So my focus is on that and I'll let the ACA handle everything else."
But when probed about CA's argument that the ACA's claim to retain revenue sharing is at the expense of grassroots cricket, it was a juicy one Smith wouldn't let go.
"I'm not sure I completely agree with that," he said. "If we look back at the last MOU I think players gave back $10 million to grassroots cricket, which is quite significant."
Smith added that he hasn't seen CA's recent public relations salvo – a video from the lead negotiator Kevin Roberts – but remains confident of an agreement "at some point" that will be "best for the game".
There's no doubting his sincerity in wanting the distraction to vanish, with no room for error in a competition that spans three cut-throat group games in eight days. He will recall after losing their opener four years ago that a wash-out in the second fixture dashed Australia's hopes.
"Every game is crucial and we have got to be at our best from ball one," he said. Doubly so with favourites England sharing their pool, and Bangladesh no pushover either.
The XI to play the Black Caps won't be settled until a final training session, but Smith hinted that pace will be his primary weapon on surfaces initially expected to favour it.
That opens the door to Australia's prized speed quartet – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson – appearing together for the first time. Alternatively, Victorian John Hastings could be included for his consistency.
The batting jigsaw was largely resolved after Aaron Finch smashed 137 in Australia's one completed warm-up fixture, set to partner the prolific David Warner at the top of the list.
It frees in-form Travis Head to occupy a place in the middle order alongside Marcus Stoinis, who clattered an unbeaten 146 against in against the Kiwis in their previous one-day series.
Whether Glenn Maxwell or Chris Lynn is given the nod for the remaining batting spot is the main outstanding query.
Until the 2015 World Cup, it was rare this decade for Australia to take on New Zealand in the 50-over format. From then, in 10 clashes, the home team has claimed victory all but once.
In their two most recent encounters, Smith's side overwhelmed Kane Williamson's men in December but then ceded the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy on the return leg in January.
"A few players were missing, but we were probably a bit disappointing there," Smith said.
He also acknowledged the quality of their new ball bowlers, Trent Boult and Tim Southee. "If there is a bit [of swing] there we will have to be quite watchful," he said.
"If it is good batting and the sun is out hopefully we can put a bit of pressure on those guys and try and play the way we did in Australia."
Martin Guptill is the key for New Zealand, coming into his own in the post-Brendon McCullum world, averaging the better part of 50 at better than a run a ball.
That included a century against Australia in December, an outrageous 180 not out against the top-ranked South Africans in March, and a 77-ball ton in a warm-up game on Tuesday.
Smith said he feels "really good" after his long stint in India, arriving straight from the Border-Gavaskar Test series then the Indian Premier League.
"It takes a little bit of time," he said of the adjustment to ODI cricket. "You just have to realise 50 overs are a lot more than 20 and you can reign things back."
"It has taken a few guys a little bit of time just to bring their games back down a level and not try and overhit the ball, particularly here in England where the outfield is so fast."
Australia are hunting for their third Champions Trophy, winning it on two previous occasions in 2006 and 2009.
Australia's Champions Trophy squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
Australia's group stage fixture:
Friday June 2, 7.30pm, Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston
Monday June 5, 8.30pm, Australia v Bangladesh, the Oval
Saturday June 10, Australia v England, 7.30pm, Edgbaston
(All times AEST)