Five questions for Australia's T20I side

[Torrent Disney]

Australia have at least 15 T20Is between now and the T20 World Cup next year, a trophy they have never won. They start with six against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 12 days beginning in Adelaide on Sunday. Here are some burning questions that need to be answered.

Can the old David Warner return?

There is debate around Warner's Test place, but there really shouldn't be around his place at the top of the order in the T20I side. He was the leading run-scorer in the 2019 IPL and the second-leading scorer in the 50-over World Cup. Bizarrely though, at the last T20 World Cup he was batting at three and four and in his last 13 T20Is he has reached double figures just five times with one half-century. The last time he played a T20I he was also captain, leading Australia to a tri-series victory. There will inevitably be chatter about D'Arcy Short potentially filling his role, but Warner has the chance to quell any doubts.

What is Steven Smith's role?

Smith is the best Test batsman in the world, but he is not the three-format behemoth like Virat Kohli. Smith's T20 record both internationally and domestically is modest and he hasn't played a T20I since the 2016 World Cup as he had been consistently been rested before his ban. During the IPL earlier this year he was dropped by Rajasthan Royals before being recalled and made captain. His career strike rate of 124.19 in all T20s is well below world-class. It appears as though he will be the fulcrum at No. 3 between the dynamic opening duo of Finch and Warner and Glenn Maxwell at No. 4. Given the power around him, the decision to use him in that slot instead of a player like Chris Lynn does make sense. He is a better player of spin, a better runner between the wickets, a better fieldsman and can bowl if need be. But as Kohli proves time and again, No. 3 is arguably the spot for your most versatile and skilled T20 batsman. Is Smith that man?