Champions Trophy 2017: Australia's 'Fearsome Foursome' Ready For New Zealand

Steve Smith said Australia were unlikely to field all their 'fearsome foursome' of fast bowlers against the Kiwis in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand on Friday. Injuries have meant the quartet of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson have rarely all been fit at the same time. It appears Australia have decided it's too much of a risk fielding all four in the same team, with John Hastings -- who has plenty of English county experience -- also in the squad.

"I don't think we'll end up going with the four big quicks," Australia captain Smith told reporters at Edgbaston on Thursday.

"We've got a couple of options there as all-rounders.

"(Marcus) Stoinis did very well in New Zealand in the last series, and Hastings has done very well for us over in these conditions.

"He's a little bit slower than the others and hits the seam and has some good skills throughout the middle as well."

- Cummins comeback -

For Cummins, whose career has been blighted by several back stress fractures, just being in contention again is something of a relief.

The 24-year-old made his international debut in 2011, yet the fact he's played just three Tests and 28 one-day internationals since then is testament to how much time Cummins has spent on the treatment table.

But he now believes his body can withstand the rigours of international cricket.

"I now feel that because I'm a couple of years older, and because I had a full off-season at pretty low intensity, my body was a bit more hardened than it used to be when I did come back," Cummins explained.

Left-arm fast bowler Starc, arguably the world's leading 'yorker' bowler, has recovered from a foot injury that cut short his tour of India, while Pattinson has returned from shin and back problems.

Australia boast one of the most powerful top orders in ODI cricket, with captain Smith and opener David Warner outstanding batsmen in all formats.

They could add extra firepower by including Chris Lynn, who shot to worldwide prominence earlier this year with a sensational Indian Premier League campaign, averaging nearly 50 for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

New Zealand beat Australia in a thrilling pool match in Auckland at the 2015 World Cup only to lose to their trans-Tasman rivals in the final in Melbourne.

Friday's encounter at Birmingham's Edgbaston ground is set to feature several survivors, with New Zealand captain Kane Williamson the star turn in atop order that also includes Martin Guptill.

Blackcaps pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult are proven performers in England, but Southee said: "We know the conditions, but you can't rely on that.

"The wickets over here are pretty good, and the bowlers are going to have to be at the very top of their game as a result."

This latest trans-Tasman clash takes place against the backdrop of a bitter pay dispute between Cricket Australia and their players.

Asked if winning the Champions Trophy would bolster the players' cause, Smith said last week: "I think, if we win, almost certainly it would be really good for the playing group. We're sticking really strong together.

"We're backing what the ACA (Australian Cricketers' Association) is doing back home."

It was in Birmingham four years ago where Australia's campaign at the last Champions Trophy foundered, on and off the field.

An Edgbaston defeat by England in their opening game was followed by Warner punching England batsman Joe Root in a Birmingham bar in the early hours of the next morning -- a clash that saw Australia suspend Warner from the opening two Tests of that year's Ashes.