Steve Smith's non-selection blamed for Australia's early T20 World Cup 2024 exit by Mark Taylor

Australia were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 virtually by Afghanistan. The Aussies lost to the Asian giants in the Super clash. Afghanistan's next win against Bangladesh meant that the Aussies crashed out of the tournament.

Australia who were the champions of the T20 World Cup 2024 lost to Afghanistan and India in the Super 8s. They had to win against India to stay in contention but that did not happen as well.

Reviewing Australia's campaign, former skipper Mark Taylor said that Australia missed Steve Smith in the Caribbean conditions. He said that as a batter he had the necessary skill set to adjust to the conditions. Barring Glenn Maxwell's 54, none of the other batters could play well against the Afghan bowlers chasing 149 to win.

Steve Smith Would Have Suited To Slow Wickets: Mark Taylor

"I still think Australia should have picked Steve Smith and I thought that when they first left him out of the squad. If you look at the Afghanistan game, when you get a slow, turning wicket as they did, I would want Steve Smith in my side. He has the tools to play well in those conditions more than most players in that Australian side, if not all of them" Taylor said on World Wide Of Sports.

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The former Australian skipper said that the turning pitches in the Caribbean required batters who had sound technique and Smith fits the bill.

"That's where I think Australia missed out. Smith batting anywhere from four to seven would have been better than the players that we had on a slow, turning wicket. If you get those sorts of surfaces, you want players who are good batters and not just necessarily good hitters," he added.

Smith did not get many games in the T20Is previously heading into the T20 World Cup. He also did not play in IPL 2024 which might have worked against him during selection.

The former Australian skipper also shared his opinion on Australian management sticking with David Warner in spite of Jake Fraser-McGurk in the reserves. The youngster was added to the reserves after his exploits in IPL 2024 where he scored 330 runs at a strike rate of almost 235.

"With the Fraser-McGurk and Warner thing, I think that was a 50/50 call. You could have gone either way and mounted a good case either way on who should play," he said.

Meanwhile, David Warner retired from all formats of the game after Australia crashed out of the World Cup. He had already retired from Test and ODI cricket and said that this T20 World Cup would be his last international assignment for Australia.

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