Steve Smith insulted by selectors in T20 World Cup 2026, claims Australia batter

Former Australia batter Mark Waugh strongly criticized the national selectors for leaving Steve Smith out of the original T20 World Cup squad. Waugh called the decision confusing and disrespectful, saying Smith’s strong BBL form, elite fielding, and proven ability against spin made him an automatic pick.

Australia lost to co-hosts Sri Lanka in a Group B match in Pallekele on Monday, February 16. Sri Lanka produced a calm, controlled performance to secure their place in the Super 8s, while Australia’s chances now depend on other results. The 2021 champions had suffered a shock defeat to Zimbabwe a few days earlier.

Australia's Campaign Was Doomed by Selection and Injuries - Mark Waugh

Mark Waugh said Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign went wrong early because of poor selection calls and injuries. He felt the team did not prepare well and believed the struggles were predictable, even though Australia are placed in a relatively weak group.

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"I think that the whole campaign was doomed from the get-go with selection issues and injuries. I think preparation hasn't been great. It's all unfolded probably the way I thought it would, even though we're in a pretty weak group," Waugh told SENQ Breakfast.

Australia initially left Steve Smith out of the T20 World Cup squad. Just hours before the crucial match against Sri Lanka, the selectors added him to the squad. However, Smith still did not feature in the playing XI.

He Should Have Been First Picked - Mark Waugh

Mark Waugh said that leaving Steve Smith out of the original T20 World Cup squad was “the most baffling non-selection.” He added that Smith should have been an automatic pick, given his skill set.

"I know you can't please everybody, and sometimes there are tough calls that can go either way, but to me, the non-selection of Steve Smith in the squad originally is the most baffling non-selection I can remember for ages. I mean, here you've got a guy who has looked a class above everybody in the BBL.

"He's an outstanding fieldsman. He's a great player of spin. He should have been first picked, and he wasn't picked in the squad... then he wasn't even picked as a replacement, and then they've got him over there, and they still haven't played him," he added.

It’s An Insult to Steve Smith, to Be Honest - Mark Waugh

The former Australia batter questioned several selection calls during the tournament. Waugh said that in-form players are vital in T20 cricket because there is no time to settle. He also stated that keeping Steve Smith on the sidelines was insulting to one of the game’s greats.

"Then you've got Matt Renshaw, who looks like he's one of the few players in form, and he's left out of the big game last night. T20 cricket is the hardest format to find form in. You need to pick players who are in form, because the batsman doesn't get time to build his confidence," he said.

"It's just been baffling some of the selections, and injuries haven't helped obviously. I just think they've got the selections completely wrong and to have your best player by 100 yards sitting on the sideline in Steve Smith... I think it's an insult to Steve Smith, to be honest," Waugh added.

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