T20 World Cup: Smith set to miss Australia’s opener against New Zealand

In and out of the squad in current instances, former Australia captain Steve Smith is set to miss his nation’s opening match within the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 against New Zealand scheduled for Saturday.

Smith was a member of the squad that received the T20 World Cup final 12 months however has struggled for kind since then, dropping out his spot to the likes of Cameron Green. He has struggled for runs within the three-match sequence in India and at residence against England.

That appears to have prompted Australia’s chief nationwide selector George Bailey to strongly trace that Smith might not determine within the squad for his or her opening match against the Black Caps right here on Saturday.

“I think all the members of our 15 have a role to play but I don’t think that will be starting in the 11 for Steve,” Bailey was quoted as saying by the native media on Thursday.”I think that should we need a role from him at some stage, then absolutely.”

Meanwhile, Bailey mentioned opener David Warner is “fine” and will play within the opener against New Zealand. Warner had missed the third T20 International against England with a neck pressure and in addition sat out the warm-up tie against India after he was omitted of the squad to tour India for T20Is final month.

Allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who has not bowled in a match since August due to an ankle damage, isn’t far-off from bowling however Bailey couldn’t assure that he can be included in Saturday’s squad.

“He is tracking well. I don’t think it is any secret that our allrounders are an important part of our structure,” Bailey mentioned. “I feel he bowled 20 to 30 balls with fairly good depth within the nets yesterday.

“I think he has hit all the markers that he wanted to but I think given the importance of that (allrounder) structure it is not something we wanted to risk too early but I fully expect that Mitch will be available and ready to go, whether that is Saturday or game two,” Bailey added.

–IANS

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