Australia has suffered a big blow ahead of their white-ball leg tour of Pakistan, as the senior batter, Steve Smith was ruled out of the upcoming limited-overs series due to an elbow problem.
On Saturday, March 26, Cricket Australia (CA) announced that Smith will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series as well one-off T20I to manage discomfort in his left elbow. Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson has been named as a replacement for Smith in the white-ball squad.
Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement: “Smith experienced some discomfort during the three-match Test series and, with a full schedule of international cricket over the coming 18 months, it was felt prudent to prioritize recovery and treatment at this time.”
Alex Kountouris, CA’s head of sports science and sports medicine, stated of Smith: “He has been experiencing some minor discomfort in his left elbow during the latter stages of the Test series in Pakistan and, given he had an injury with the same elbow last year, we felt it important to manage this proactively.”
He added, “Withdrawing him from the white ball matches means Steve will have the necessary time to rehabilitate his elbow to ensure his continuing availability and performance for Australia.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Chairman of Selectors George Bailey said: “With the significant amount of cricket to come over the next 18 months, and the fact he has had an issue with the same elbow previously, it is appropriate for Steve to return home at the end of the Test series in Pakistan.”
He concluded, “We have opted not to name a replacement batter as we feel we have options within the existing squad, and Steve's absence offers up additional opportunities to players within the group.”
Here’s Australia's white-ball squad:
Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa.
(With PTI Inputs)
