Steve Smith will not play the ODI series due to an elbow injury
Steve Smith will not play the ODI series due to an elbow injury
The Australian team has suffered a setback before the ODI series against Pakistan. In fact, Steve Smith is taking a break to better manage his elbow injury so that his injury does not progress further. The team has found his replacement and he will not take part in the ODI series.
The team has included Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, who will play in the upcoming three-match ODI series and one-off T20I.
This series will be played in Lahore. Although earlier this series was proposed in Rawalpindi but after the consent of both the boards, it was shifted to Lahore. Australia registered a historic 1-0 win in the recent Test series. Steve does not want to take any extra risk with his injury so he has decided to go back to Australia.
On this occasion, Steve Smith said “It is disappointing for me not to play the ODI series against Pakistan but after talking to the medical staff I feel that I should take a break at this time” Smith is the fastest batsman to score 8,000 Test runs. He has achieved this feat in the Lahore Test. Smith scored 59 in the first innings of this Test and 17 in the second innings.
Commenting on Steve Smith, the head of the selection committee, George Bailey, said, “After 18 months of hectic schedule, it was important that such things be managed. He said that we did not replace any batsman in his place. Because I think his option is there in the team.
Players within the team should be given extra opportunities in his absence. We are excited about the T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup. These four matches against a quality team like Pakistan are important for the players to stake their claim for it.”
The upcoming 3-match ODI series and one-off T20I against Pakistan will be played at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on March 29, March 31, April 2 and April 5 respectively.
Steve Smith has performed well in the test match series against Pakistan. In the third and final test, he passed the 8000 runs mark in test cricket and became the fastest player to do so. His withdrawal from ODI series will give chance to other players to show the potential on an international stage.