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Australia’s 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup has been announced, with some notable omissions. Star batter Steve Smith has been left out, marking the first time since 2012 that he will miss a limited-overs World Cup for Australia. The squad, led by newly appointed full-time captain Mitch Marsh, includes veterans like David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
Smith’s exclusion comes after he failed to impress selectors during the series against New Zealand in February, managing scores of only 11 and 4 in two matches. Similarly, rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk, despite his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League with 259 runs in six matches for the Delhi Capitals, has not made the cut.
Despite the absence of Smith, the squad boasts familiar faces, with Warner likely to partner with Travis Head at the top of the batting order, and a formidable fast-bowling attack led by Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc. Marsh, who has been acting as captain since Aaron Finch’s retirement last year, has been officially appointed as the permanent captain, albeit still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Chair of selectors George Bailey explained that Smith was part of extensive discussions but ultimately the squad opted for a different direction. Bailey also noted that Australia has several players who have been multi-format for a long time, suggesting a natural progression where some players may start to step back from certain formats.
