Australia to include Smith in team against SL
Injury-hit Australia could consider bringing in veteran Steve Smith to bolster their stuttering batting as the former champions aim to keep their fate in their own hands when they face Sri Lanka in a crucial T20 World Cup Group B clash on Monday.
Australia risk an early exit after suffering a shock 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe in their previous match. They now need victories in their remaining group matches against Oman and Sri Lanka to progress to the Super Eights without relying on other results. Australia are currently third on the group table with two points from as many games. The 2021 champions, who have been marred by injuries, were bowled out for 146 following a dramatic top-order collapse against Zimbabwe.
Captain Mitchell Marsh, who also opens the innings, missed Australia’s second game running and remains under an injury cloud suffering from internal testicular bleeding. Smith has joined the squad as Marsh’s cover, but the 36-year-old is yet to be officially added to the 15-man T20 World Cup squad. Australia can include him without replacing anyone, as they have a spare spot following the injury-enforced exit of pacer Josh Hazlewood.
Smith’s strong record against spin and encouraging recent form in the format could strengthen Australia’s batting if included. In a positive development, pace all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been deemed fit after copping a blow on his left hand in the previous game.
However, Australia are also feeling the absence of the famed pace trio of Micthell Starc (retired), Pat Cummins (injured) and Hazlewood. While Nathan Ellis has impressed, left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis and seamer Xavier Bartlett have been expensive in their limited opportunities.
But if there is any team that can turn things around, it’s Australia. They men from Down Under had faced a similar situation during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and ironically it was the win against Sri Lanka that turned things around for them as they went on to win nine matches, including the final to lift the trophy.
“We’ve been there before. I said at the toss, we saw it in 2023 with a few defeats and injuries. We have a few guys here who were there in India in 2023 and we’ll look to navigate this situation and use that blueprint,” stand-in-skipper Travis Head said after the loss to Zimbabwe.
Co-hosts Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are perched on top of the group with comfortable wins against Oman and Ireland. However, they too have suffered a setback, with star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. In his absence, Sri Lanka will rely heavily on Maheesh Theekshana and left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage to exploit home conditions.
