Australia lost the third and final T20I match against the West Indies, but won the series 2-1. Several notable players were absent from the series due to rest, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Steve Smith.
Much to the pleasure of supporters, Smith, Starc, and Cummins have returned to the squad for the forthcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which starts on February 21. However, there are few suggestions suggesting Steve Smith’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 roster is jeopardised.
Smith has fared well in the BBL, establishing himself in the game’s shortest format. According to Code Sports, Smith’s place is in jeopardy and he could be dropped out of the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, which begins in June 2024.
Notably, Smith has played 65 T20Is for Australia and scored 1079 runs, including five fifties. The Men in Yellow, winners of the coveted T20 event in 2021, were eliminated early in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The Men in Yellow will try for a turnaround this time, but they are unclear about their final 15.
Smith, who shone at the opening position in the BBL, faces opposition from Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh, who are higher up the pecking order.
Steve last played a T20I against India in November 2023, where he appeared in two games and scored only 90 runs in the five-match series.
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, who led Australia to the title in 2021, was also opposed to have Steve Smith in the T20I side.
He had selected David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis/Matthew Short, Tim David, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood for his lineup.
This choice was really surprising. But the question now is whether Steve Smith will be included in the Australia’s three-T20I series against BlackCaps, which begins on February 21.
If he does not secure his place against the Kiwis, he may miss out on the forthcoming Markie tournament in June.
