Steve Smith could be on the chopping block after Tim David pushed a brilliant case for World Cup selection.
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David, in his fifth T20 appearance for Australia, needed just 20 minutes at the crease to turn the match, smashing a powerful 42 runs from 20 deliveries against the Windies.
The Singapore-born batsman had made his mark in an earlier appearance against India in Hyderabad last month.
Four boundaries in a row from David off the bowling of Obed McCoy set up the victory, the innings included consecutive sixes over mid-wicket – one of them travelling 110 meters.
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Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that Steve Smith will not feature in the starting XI for Australia in their first game of the T20 World Cup against New Zealand on Saturday, with Tim David expected to take the 33-year-old’s spot in the line-up.
Smith was a part of Australia’s T20WC-winning campaign in 2021, but the right-hander has had a poor time in the shortest format since then, averaging 20.14 while striking at 120.51.
“I think all the members of our 15 have a role to play but I don’t think that will be starting in the XI for Steve, I think that should we need a role from him at some stage, then absolutely,” said Bailey
Bailey confirmed that Warner, who sat out the warm-up match against India due to a stiff neck, has recovered and will feature against the Black Caps.
Brad Haddin the former Australian wicket keeper has backed the decision to leave Steve Smith out of the early world cup games for Tim David as a “smart decision” on this morning’s episode of Willow Talk Daily.
Defending champions Australia will kick-start their T20WC 2022 campaign against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 22nd of October.
Australia Squad: Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
