Picture Credit: Twitter
Former Australia captain Steve Smith will miss Australia's one-day internationals and T20I match against Pakistan to manage a left elbow injury. Cricket Australia (CA) revealed on Friday that Smith suffered discomfort in his left elbow during the three-match Test series. Australia won the third and final Test on Friday to clinch the hard-fought series 1-0.
"Smith experienced some discomfort during the three-match Test series and, with a full schedule of international cricket over the coming 18 months, it was felt prudent to prioritise recovery and treatment at this time," the CA statement said.
Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, David Warner, Glen Maxwell, pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc have already been rested for the white-ball series against Pakistan. Meanwhile, pacer Kane Richardson was also ruled out with an injury.
"It's disappointing to miss these matches against Pakistan but after chatting with the medical staff, I can see the need to take a break at this time," Smith said.
Notably, Steve Smith went unsold in IPL 2022 auction as no team showed interest in buying him. As a result, Smith will get a chance to rest for over two months as Australia will tour Sri Lanka, which will start on June 7.
Mitchell Swepson to replace Smith
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will stay with the team to replace Smith in Australia's white-ball squad. Chief selector George Bailey opined that Australia’s white-ball squad has enough batting options and Swepson was included as the pitches will suit spinners in Lahore.
Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa
Pakistan ODI and T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)
Pakistan and Australia will play three ODIs and one-off T20I from March 29 to April 5.
