Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting leaves Steve Smith out of his playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2024. Ponting notes that he would have Smith in his squad, but not in the starting XI. The T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in June in the USA and Caribbean.
Ricky Ponting leaves out Steve Smith from T20 WC XI
“You love having guys like him around because of the experience and the calming influence that you can have around a team during a World Cup,” Ponting says of Smith.
“But the other thing you always have to be mindful of is what role can he play?
“So I would think if Steve Smith does find his way into the squad, I don’t think he will be in the starting XI.
“And I think that’s probably been shown the last couple of weeks with the series they just played in New Zealand. I think he opened the batting in a couple of those games, but not all of those games and they’re sort of spreading the load around a little bit trying to find their right combination, but would I have him in the squad?
“I think I’d have him in the squad, but he wouldn’t be in my starting XI.”
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Selection Headache for Australia ft Steve Smith
The selectors face a tough decision regarding the opening position for the World Cup. While Steve Smith, a proven performer in other formats, remains an option, his struggles in T20s raise questions about his suitability for the role.
T20 World Cup Ambitions at Stake:
With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, Australia will be looking to solidify their squad and find a solution for their top-order woes.
Smith’s recent failures leave the door open for other contenders, making the final selection a crucial and potentially contentious decision.
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