Australia Excludes Steve Smith From T20 World Cup, IPL Superstar Also Overlooked

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been chosen for the T20 World Cup squad, despite not having played a T20I match since the last tournament in 2022. Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green, who have had mixed results in the IPL, also secured spots in the final squad, as confirmed by the ICC.

Mitchell Marsh will lead the team as the captain. Selection chair George Bailey expressed confidence in the squad, describing it as experienced and well-balanced for the upcoming tournament.

Bailey emphasized the squad’s extensive World Cup experience, the variety of structures it offers, and its ability to cover different scenarios. He highlighted the unique nature of the venues and opponents in the West Indies, stating that the squad is well-equipped to handle these challenges.

Furthermore, Bailey welcomed Ashton Agar back to the squad after a series of unfortunate injuries and expressed confidence in his potential impact on the tournament. He also mentioned the roles that Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cam Green, and Mitch Marsh are expected to play in complementing the team’s frontline attack options, emphasizing the tailored approach that the batting options offer for each venue and opponent.

Bailey acknowledged that the squad size of 15 meant that several deserving players missed out on selection. He named Steve Smith, Matt Short, Jason Behrendorff, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, and Xavier Bartlett, among others, as having been part of lengthy discussions for selection.

He also mentioned Jake Fraser-McGurk, who despite not having played T20 international cricket, continues to make a strong impression and develop rapidly.