Australia must counter India s spinners in Champions Trophy clash says Smith

Australias hopes of making it into the Champions Trophy final hinge on how well their batters can perform against Indias potent spin attack in their semi-final meeting in Dubai, captain Steve Smith said on Monday.

India claimed a 44-run victory over New Zealand in a Group A clash on Sunday to qualify for the semi-finals unbeaten, with spinner Varun Chakravarthy taking 5-42 in a match-winning display.

Its not just Chakravarthy, I think the rest of the spinners are quality as well, so I think for us the games probably won and lost how we play this spin, Smith told reporters ahead of Tuesdays match.

Particularly in the middle overs, the way we get through there. Its going to be a challenge. Theres going to be some spin by the looks of it, looking at the surface.

Weve got to counter that. Well see how we do that tomorrow. Weve got a few options of ways we can go about it.

India have played all their matches in Dubai after the countrys board (BCCI) refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to political tensions, with the pitch at the Dubai International Stadium favouring spin.

Australia will also be looking to take advantage of the spin-friendly surface by deploying Adam Zampa, but the veteran leg spinner conceded that he has performed below his best level at the tournament.

Asked if he would bowl a couple of overs against India, Smith, a part-time spinner who has taken 28 one-day international wickets, said: I hope not. We do have plenty of options there though.

Weve got Tanveer Sangha in our squad. Weve got (Glenn) Maxwell, (Matt Short),obviously out now, whos a bit of a loss. Hes been bowling quite nicely, bowled really well last game.

Travis Head can