ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Australia "Burning Out" Steve Smith - Former Australia Captain Michael Clarke

Former Australia captain Steve Smith was dropped from the team for the first T20I of the two-match series against the West Indies, and Cameron Green has been included in the playing XI. Steve Smith is part of the 15-man Australia World Cup squad, while Cameron Green is not.

Michael Clarke stated that Australia is “burning out” Steve Smith and “burning themselves” by playing Cameron Green in the XI ahead of the T20 World Cup. The former captain believes the selectors made the wrong selection ahead of the mega tournament.

With David Warner back in action after missing the T20 series against India, the Aussies picked Green in the first match against the West Indies, while captain Aaron Finch slide down to No.4 and Smith was dropped from the XI.

They Picked Cameron Green To Give Extra Bowling Option – Michael Clarke

Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis are set to play together against England in Perth on Sunday, October 9. Clarke said the Australian team management made a mistake by not giving Steve Smith more time in the middle and that everything had to be done with the World Cup in mind. In this match, Mitch Marsh returned to Australia’s line-up as a specialist batter.

“My theory is this, Mitch Marsh wasn’t bowling so they had to pick Cameron Green over Steve Smith to give us an extra bowling option but what they’re doing is shooting themselves in the foot at the moment,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

Clarke said the Australian officials were making a mistake by not giving Smith more time in the middle, believing everything should be done with the World Cup in mind.

“The most important thing right now is we prepare for this World Cup .. so Steve Smith’s form in Twenty20 cricket over the last couple of years hasn’t been as good as he would like. He’s got to play and he’s got to own his role, is he going to bat 4, is he going to bat 3?You’ve got to let him play so even it if it means you play one bowler short in these games, I still think you’ve got to allow your players to play.”

For the first time in history, Australia will host the T20 World Cup. The World Cup will be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13. Australia will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 22.

Also read: ICC T20 World Cup 2022: An Opportunity To Unearth A New Champion – Ravi Shastri On Absence Of Ravindra Jadeja And Jasprit Bumrah