Jos Buttler has insisted the T20 World Cup is not the time for any unnecessary tinkering, or resting and rotating with his team.
It means that Ireland can expect to be facing the same eleven players that took down Afghanistan in the opener and who will hope to do the same to Australia on Friday.
Any thoughts that Mark Wood might be wrapped in cotton wool for the hosts were scotched by Buttler who recognises that wins on the board are worth their weight in gold, and that the inclement weather that has been hovering around Melbourne could foil their best laid plans.
Ben Stokes was spotted training with heavy strapping around his troublesome left knee, but the all rounder is still expected to feature after taking a full part, bowling and batting twice in the nets to get ready for the game. And with Ireland having beaten England in their most recent 50 over match, there is nothing but respect for the men in green, who will be targeting their local rivals for another World Cup upset.
“I think what's important is to try and put what we think is our best team on the park as many times as we can,” said Buttler before showery rain arrived at the MCG. "The side can change depending on conditions, opposition, which ground we're playing at, but I think with what's happening with the weather and stuff, if you said we'll target a couple of guys for a certain game and then that game doesn't take place you could be caught out.
“In such a short tournament, in must-win games pretty much every time, we will try and get our best team on the park. I think anytime we play nations close to home, that brings natural rivalry. It brings some history of certain things into the game.
“I know Ireland will be really excited and looking forward to the match, it's a World Cup, so you expect every opposition to bring their best cricket. We're the same. They're going to be fired up for the game. They're going to want to try and beat us, and we want to beat them.”
Buttler had a gentle word of warning for the match officials ahead of the game too when it comes to the expected rain that could play a major part, with the England skipper wanting to see the game continue as much as possible before any interruptions.
The umpires tried their best to get the game completed between Zimbabwe and South Africa before calling a halt with three overs of the second innings bowled when five is the minimum required.
And Buttler has told the officials to keep the game moving as quickly as possible to ensure that it is the players who decide the result and not the weather.
“I think where it's reasonable, if you can continue the game as much as you can, I think that's the right decision,” said Buttler. "I think as much as we can, if we can get the game moving we should get the game continuing.
“If say for instance we play tomorrow and there's a little bit of rain which isn't that heavy and it looks like it's going to blow through, can we just stay on and keep going.”
