Steve Smith is expected to be dropped from Australia’s Twenty20 team for the second time in three matches as Australia prepares to take on England in Perth on Sunday.
With all-rounders Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis waiting in Perth to return for the three-match T20 series against England, Smith is likely to be named 12th man again after missing the opening game of the just-completed two-match series against the West Indies.
Steve Smith after being dismissed against the West Indies on Friday night.Credit:Getty
After experimenting with the batting line-up during the short series against the West Indies, Australia will look to stabilise it heading into the T20 World Cup, with captain Aaron Finch expected to return to the top of the order and Marsh slotting in at number three where he has dominated over the past year.
Just a fortnight out from the T20 World Cup in Australia, the new pecking order for the team appeared to be confirmed in Friday night’s win over the West Indies at Brisbane’s Gabba, when new-age blaster Tim David hammered 42 off 20 balls to spark a revival after a middle order collapse. Smith made 17 from 16 balls.
“It’s great to have pressure for spots,” Smith told the Herald and The Age recently. “We’ve got some depth there and Tim David’s done a terrific job in the domestic tournaments around the world.
“He’s come along in the last 18 months. It’s nice to have someone in our squad that possesses that kind of power.”
Marcus Stoinis is expected to return for Sunday’s match against England in Perth after recovering from a side strain.Credit:AP
Smith was recalled from drinks duties for Friday night’s game when Marsh flew home to prepare for Sunday’s match. Marsh had returned to the side for Wednesday night’s opening game against the West Indies as a batter only after recovering from ankle injury.
Mindful of Marsh’s injury history, the selectors did not want to overtax him with three games in six days, including one a day after stepping off a flight from Brisbane to Perth.
While Marsh is expected to replace Smith in the side, Stoinis is likely to slot in for Glenn Maxwell, who has been left on the east coast to rest along with fast bowlers Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and spinner Adam Zampa.
Stoinis, Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar will rejoin the squad for the England Series and T20 World Cup while Mitch Swepson and Nathan Ellis have been added to the squad for just the opening game in Perth.
Likely team for Sunday’s match: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Dan Sams, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson.
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