Steven Smith rested; David Warner to lead Australia in Sri Lanka
Australia’s Steve Smith has been rested to focus on next month’s tour of South Africa leaving David Warner to lead the side for the remainder of the Sri Lanka series.
In Smith’s absence, David Warner will captain Australia for the first time.
Smith will head home to Australia today and miss the final three ODIs and the two Twenty20 Internationals to follow against Sri Lanka over the coming weeks.
Smith, who is Australia’s captain across all formats, said, “I hate missing cricket, but in the long run it will do me a world of good. The schedule is very busy. I still want to take on the role in all three formats and do it to the best of my ability.”
Australia have not enjoyed a good time in their current series against Sri Lanka. After being whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series, the five-time World Cup champions bounced back in the first ODI with a three-wicket win but lost by a huge 82-run margin in the second ODI.
Meanwhile Past players of Cricket Australia question timing of Australia skipper’s withdrawal from ongoing series in Sri Lanka.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke says if current skipper Steve Smith needed a break from touring, he should have done so following the recent Test series in Sri Lanka instead of partway through the current One-Day International series.
Surprised to see smith going back home to prepare for SA tour when this one is not finished. Would any other @CricketAus captain done this?
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 25, 2016
The selection panel also named the Twenty20 squad for the Sri Lanka series.
Australia T20 squad: David Warner (c), Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
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