T20 World Cup: Former Australian great Stuart Clark doesn’t believe leaving Steve Smith out a mistake
Former Australian great Stuart Clark doesn’t believe leaving Steve Smith out of Australia’s T20 World Cup team is a mistake.
Former Australian great Stuart Clark doesn’t believe leaving Steve Smith out of Australia’s T20 World Cup team is a mistake despite his red-hot Big Bash form.
However, the New South Wales board member didn’t rule out the Test star riding to his nation’s rescue should one of West Aussie Mitch Marsh or Travis Head get injured during the tournament, which will be hosted in Sri Lanka and India.
Smith was a level above the competition after returning to the Big Bash and opening the batting for Sydney Sixers post-Ashes triumph, leading his side to the final, where they fell to six-time champions Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The 36-year-old, who struck a century against Sydney Thunder, has also been strong on his desire to continue representing Australia in the format with an eye on cricket’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
But Marsh and Head are the established white-ball openers for the Aussies, with Marsh also holding the captaincy.
“I daresay there would have been conversations (about picking him), but Smith’s gonna bat at the top of the order at one and two,” Clark told ABC.
There are two guys ahead of him that are fairly handy players in Travis Head and Mitch Marsh. Now I reckon if one of them goes down or gets injured, the SOS might come out to Smith.
“But I just think because he opens the batting and the two guys they’ve got opening the batting, they’re going to go with them over Smith unless they get injured.”
Australia named their final squad for the tournament on Saturday, with Test captain Pat Cummins ruled out with injury, while Adelaide Strikers skipper and opener Matt Short was replaced by Brisbane Heat middle-order batter Matthew Renshaw.
Ben Dwarshuis, who played alongside Smith in Magenta, earned a call-up in place of Cummins.
Marsh leads the Scorchers contingent that also includes Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly and Cam Green.
The tournament begins on February 7 with Australia opening their campaign on February 11 against Ireland.
