T20 World Cup: Steve Smith to be 'dropped' for game against New Zealand


image-l9e2yg98Steve Smith (Source: Twitter)

In a significant development coming from Down Under, Australian batter Steve Smith will not be playing Australia's T20 World Cup opener against New Zealand on 22nd October.

The news was confirmed by Australia's chief selector George Bailey who admitted that he doesn't have a place in the eleven at the moment. To the unversed, Smith has been out of runs in the T20 format for quite some time, as his recent tours to India were a flop where he could only manage 52 runs in three innings.

"I think all the members of our 15 have a role to play, but I don't think that will be starting in the 11 for Steve,"

He added that if the team requires a role for him, adjusting him won't be any problem.

"I think that should we need a role from him at some stage, then absolutely."

Big-hitter Tim David might likely be slotted in his place at sixth position. Also, pacer Pat Cummins opened up on the bowling options that could be handy for them during the course of the World Cup.

"You've seen Maxwell be a frontline bowler in one-day and T20 cricket,

"We feel like Stoinis can bowl anywhere in the innings, and Maxwell can bowl in the power play or through the middle, so no problems there."

Australia is placed alongside New Zealand, England, Afghanistan and two teams from Round 1 in the Group 1 of the T20 World Cup.


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