Australia coach Andrew McDonald has flagged he is unlikely to alter his squad for their fourth World Cup clash against Ireland on Monday at The Gabba.
The hosting nation will enter the match fourth in their group after managing just the one win from their opening three fixtures, having seen their most recent match abandoned due to rain.
The non-result has left Australia with just three points as they enter their final two group stage games, but more critically the abandoned clash sees them sitting with a -1.555 net run rate - the worst in Group 1.
McDonald isn't panicking yet however, with the Australian coach already well aware that percentage would play a major role in his side's prospects of securing back-to-back T20 World Cup titles.
Australia will be needing strong performances over Ireland and Afghanistan to end the group stage in order to advance, while relying on other fixtures to go their way.
Looking to control what he can, McDonald isn't looking to switch up his squad for Monday's clash with Ireland, who are also placed on three points from three games.
“I don't think it will shift our selection too much,” he said, via News Corp.
“We've picked a very powerful batting line-up and we've got bowlers that we think in certain conditions against certain opposition can do the job. We feel pretty well covered for the options that we have.
“We're probably where we were where we started (before the game) no-one has made any ground. That's a disappointing fact. I think whoever came here and was able to take points that would have gone a long way to securing that potential semi-final berth.
“Net run rate is going to come in to it, we knew that at the start of the tournament when you only play five games, net run rate can influence who goes through to the final four.
“We've been there before. First and foremost we have to improve facets of our game … get back to the cricket we are capable of, we probably haven't done that the last couple of games.
“That excites me, there is still a lot of improvement in the group."
Australia will be closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation that has hampered the squad in recent days, with Adam Zampa missing the win over Sri Lanka while keeper Matthew Wade has tested positive to the virus but was set to play against England.
With one eye on their own developments, the other will be placed on other Group 1 games in the coming days.
New Zealand will face Sri Lanka at the SCG on Saturday in a match that could blow open the standings in Group 1 should the latter secure victory, while the Kiwis and England will face off on Tuesday.
Australia's final group stage clash against Afghanistan is scheduled for Friday, November 4 at Adelaide Oval in what is shaping as a must-win clash for McDonald's side.
