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Smith's all-format career at a crossroads
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Marsh appointed as captain
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Selector Bailey ignores injury issues
Written by Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE, Australia's selectors have dropped veteran campaigner Steve Smith and brought Jake Fraser-McGurk into the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup, despite the young batsman's sensational performance in the Indian Premier League. I ignored the call to add.
Smith, who was part of Australia's title-winning squad at the 2021 tournament in the United Arab Emirates, played in a T20 against New Zealand in February but is unable to further his case as he missed out on an IPL contract. There wasn't.
Smith, who has scored more than 16,000 runs in international cricket, is one of Australia's finest servants across all formats and his absence will be a bitter pill to swallow for the 34-year-old.
Selectors chief George Bailey said there was no room for Smith in a confirmed top order that includes David Warner, Travis Head and confirmed captain Mitchell Marsh.
“It's probably going to be Steve's answer to his goals and challenges going forward and what he wants to accomplish in the game,” Bailey told reporters on a video call Wednesday. “I know he still loves playing T20 cricket.”
Fraser McGuirk, 22, was uncapped in T20 internationals but made a strong case for inclusion after scoring 247 runs at an impressive strike rate of 237.50 in five matches for Delhi Capitals.
Bailey said Fraser-McGuirk was one of the players involved in “long conversations” in the run-up to the marquee games between June 1 and 29 in the United States and the Caribbean.
However, the only hope for him to play is due to injuries within the 15-man squad.
Selectors selected Ashton Agar as the second spinner, staying true to the core players who helped Australia win an unprecedented sixth 50-over victory at the World Cup in India last November. , selected Cameron Green as the backup all-rounder.
Josh Inglis was selected as reserve wicketkeeper along with veteran Matt Wade.
Several players have struggled to get back into shape in the IPL, with Warner missing some cricket with a bone bruise in his hand and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell out of the game both mentally and physically. .
Bailey dismissed concerns and said he expected everyone to be fit and ready when Australia begin their World Cup match against cricketing powerhouse Oman in Barbados on June 5. .
Australia, along with Namibia and Scotland, were placed in the same group as defending champions England.
Australia also won last year's World Test Championship and will aim to become the first country to hold all three world titles.
The Australian squad includes David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, and Nathan Ellis.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to the text.
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