I was shocked: Michael Vaughan after Steve Smith's exclusion

Steve Smith (Source: Twitter)

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign was hit with turmoil when they were rocked early by a spirited New Zealand side in their opening game. One of the biggest surprises was the exclusion of veteran Steve Smith from the playing XI which baffled a many including former English skipper Michael Vaughan.

Vaughan said he was shocked after not seeing the right-hander in Australia playing side which was hard to digest considering he has been a prolific timer of the ball who takes his time but ultimately scores big.

Smith hasn't been in great touch lately, especially in the T20I format where he struggled during Australia's recent series against India. Previously, Aussie great Michael Clarke vocalised his thoughts to play Smith, if possible as an opener.

What Vaughan said on Smith's exclusion

“I do think that there is a place in a team for a player like Steve Smith,

“You only have to look at (Dawid) Malan for England, he’s a timer of the ball, hits it in the gaps, knows where his boundary options are and I think if you gave Steve Smith 50 balls he’d get you an 80,

“I don’t know how much of an impact he has (as a leader), but clearly he’s a great player and I was shocked to see him not in there.”

Smith wasn't a part of Australia's match against Sri Lanka as well and it remains to be seen if he is included in the game against England on 28th October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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