Australia have turned to experience, calling up Steve Smith as the replacement for injured pacer Josh Hazlewood for the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Hazlewood was ruled out earlier this month, and selectors delayed naming a replacement before finally activating Smith on the eve of a decisive group clash in Kandy.
The ICC Event Technical Committee (ETC) approved the late squad change, clearing Smith to feature immediately, with Australia valuing his stability amid fitness concerns around Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis.
Though Smith has not played a T20I in nearly two years, the 36-year-old impressed in domestic form and now returns as Australia chase must-win games against Sri Lanka and Oman after a shock loss to Zimbabwe.
With their Super Eights hopes hanging in the balance, Australia are banking on Smith’s calm head and big-match pedigree to steady the ship when it matters most.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
