Captain Steve Smith won’t be a part of the Australian ODI squad to tour New Zealand for a three-match one-day series, after Cricket Australia announced on Friday that an ankle injury ruled him out.
They were quick to put away any fears however, that the injury might prevent Smith from playing in Australia’s upcoming four-match Test tour of India, or of participating in a Dubai training camp planned for the lead-up to the series.
The news, however does mean Australia is in need of a captain for the ODI series against New Zealand and with vice-captain David Warner also being rested there isn’t an obvious replacement.
Cricket Australia have not yet named a replacement skipper, stating that the National Selection Panel will be in discussion later today to name one for the series.
Aaron Finch has captaincy experience previously, but given that he was dropped from the squad for the five-match series against Pakistan and recalled now only as a replacement for Warner, seems an unlikely choice as the temporary skipper.
Australia hosted New Zealand for a three-match series earlier this summer, winning all three matches comfortably, but did so with a full complement of stars available.
On New Zealand soil and with Warner and Smith absent, the Kiwis now have a golden opportunity to take some revenge.
The first match of the series is scheduled to begin at 9am (AEDT) on Monday January 30, with the following matches to be played on Thursday, February 2 (at 12 noon AEDT) and Sunday, February 5 (at 9am AEDT).
Australia’s squad for the series, minus the now-absent Smith, but with a replacement to be named is as follows
Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Zampa
qwetzen
Guest
This article isn't specific on what the injury is. My sources say that Smith has a Grade 2 tear to his meaninglessal ligament...
AdrianK
Guest
Hazlewood seems to have show increasing leadership in the team - Could be an out of the box thought for (c)
Celtic334
Guest
So Smith and Warner play the last ODI against New Zealand earlier this year (after the series had been won), the last ODI against Pakistan (after the series had been won). Now misses a 3 match tour in a place that is 3hrs flight away. Get your house in order CA. As for captain, you'd think this would of been a tremendous situation to throw Warner into it and expand his cricketing knowledge to help make informed decisions with Smith on the field. But it will prob go to some make shift guy, that can't secure a position in the team for the next 12 months. Wade it is for captain out of the list provided
Mickyt
Guest
Who really cares with this multitude of one day games so very painful to watch. Bailey SOS? I reckon Pakistan should only be invited to play in August Sept period in Cairns and Darwin so we don't have to witness them. CA clipping the ticket on X amount of games. Really turning me off cricket in general. The only thing that is of great interest is India Tests and Ashes Test. Everything else is a rounding error to keep toe coffers happy.
Republican
Guest
........the old ankle injury ploy hey. I wonder if there will be a few more selected players struck off the list due to this ridiculously timed NZ ODI series. If nothing else it will afford NZ a rare cricketing victory over us.
dan ced
Guest
I will as I do in 80% of threads advocate the inclusion of one Michael Klinger. Career List A average of 48, averaging 47 in List A games in the current season, and is long overdue for an international opportunity. He should also make the Sri Lanka T20I squad (he obviously wouldn't fit in there if India test players were available). I'm also feeling ill that Wade's name has already come up as far as the captaincy for the NZ tour goes.. F that, I'd rather Nick Maddinson be captain.