Sipu Jha
NEW DELHI: Steve Smith has been drafted into Australia’s T20 World Cup squad to replace the spot left vacant by Josh Hazlewood and is likely to feature in their must-win clash against Sri Lanka on Monday. Smith reached Sri Lanka last week and became eligible for selection after the International Cricket Council cleared his inclusion, completing Australia’s 15-man squad.Sean Abbott had initially been summoned as cover for Hazlewood, who pulled out on the eve of the tournament, but the pacer was never officially added to the squad, leaving a vacancy.
Smith responded to an SOS last week, flying to Sri Lanka after captain and regular opener Mitchell Marsh was struck by a throw-down during batting practice in Colombo.With Marsh — who has missed Australia’s first two matches — still doubtful for Monday’s encounter in Kandy due to bleeding from a testicle, Smith is poised to open the innings.“ICC regulations stipulate any squad change must be submitted and activated at least one day prior to a match,” said Australia selector Tony Dodemaide.“With Steve here, along with some uncertainty around Mitch and Marcus Stoinis, it made sense he is activated and available for selection in time for the match, if required.”The in-form Smith remains one of Australia’s most seasoned performers and a strong player of spin.He was controversially left out of the original T20 World Cup squad despite his explosive run in the Big Bash League as an opener.“Smitty’s obviously here, so if he gets his chance, he’ll be ready to go. He’s the ultimate professional,” Australia all-rounder Stoinis told reporters in Kandy late Sunday.Australia are already without injured frontline pacers Pat Cummins and Hazlewood.Power-hitter Tim David has only recently returned from a hamstring tear sustained in December, while Stoinis hurt his hand while fielding during the shock loss to Zimbabwe — a result that pushed Australia to the brink of elimination.If Australia fall to Sri Lanka in Group B, it would mark their second defeat. A Zimbabwe win over Ireland on Tuesday or Sri Lanka on Thursday would then knock out the 2021 champions.Stoinis, however, indicated he expects to be fit for the decisive fixture.“The hand’s pretty good,” Stoinis said.“Got the scan and there’s no break there or anything like that, so it’s just a bit battered and bruised, much better than I thought, to be honest.”
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