Smith insists Australia focused on the cricket

For several months, the ongoing pay dispute has been the only story in Australian cricket. Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association have been so far apart on the issue that the stand-off has degenerated into a campaign played out in public instead of behind closed doors. And now there is actual cricket to be played by the national team.

So, are the Australians playing the Champions Trophy against the backdrop of a pay dispute, or is the pay dispute in the foreground and the Champions Trophy the backdrop? Even accounting for the buzz around the relations between India's coach and players, for seven of the countries involved, the cricket is very likely to be the sole focus. But for Australia's players? As much as they would like to focus on lifting the trophy, in the back of their minds they must wonder if they will remain employed next month.

"For us, we're focusing on this tournament," the captain Steven Smith said in Birmingham ahead of Australia's opening match against New Zealand. "Obviously there are some things going on in the background. But for me it's about focusing on this tournament.

"These tournaments only come around every four years - or two years, with the World Cup - so these are the big tournaments and the ones you really want to win. My focus is on that and I'll let the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) handle everything else outside of that."

Nevertheless, the players are acutely aware of what is going on back home in Australia - and in some cases, what is not going on. What is not happening? Discussions between the two parties. What is happening? A battle for the unofficial public vote, in which both sides say they are looking out for the grassroots of the game.

"I think if we look back at the last MoU, players gave back $10 million to grassroots cricket, which is quite significant," Smith said. "We're certainly looking to do the same sort of stuff in this new agreement. ACA is handling that and I'm sure they'll come to an agreement soon."

For the time being, all Smith and his men can afford to think about is the Champions Trophy, a tournament that Australia have won twice before, though none of the current squad have been part of those triumphs. And the Australians need to quickly find a way back into the 50-over mindset, having had one of their warm-up games washed out, and with many of the group fresh from IPL duties.

"It takes a little bit of time, I think," Smith said. "We've been playing a lot of white-ball cricket, so I guess that helps. You just have to realise that 50 overs is a lot longer than 20, and you can rein things back in and know that you can bring the gear back down a bit, but also have the gear to go up at the back end of the game or if you want to take someone on.

"It's taken a few guys a little bit of time to bring their games back down a level, not try and overhit the ball, particularly in England. It's a place where the outfields are so fast and you don't have to actually overhit it. The guys have been working on that."

New Zealand and Australia have met in two Chappell-Hadlee campaigns over the past six months, both of which have been comfortably won by whichever was the home side. In English conditions that may offer some swing, New Zealand's attack could prove a handful, although Australia's pace group led by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will be equally challenging.

"They've got some good new-ball bowlers who can swing the ball around, and if there's a bit there we'll have to be quite watchful," Smith said. "If it's good batting and the sun is out, then hopefully we can put a bit of pressure on those guys and try and play the way we did in Australia against them. I thought we played really well there."