The possibility of aggravating an injury to his left elbow has seen Steve Smith opt-out of the limited-overs leg of the Pakistan tour, featuring three ICC Super League games and a standalone T20I from March 29.
The 32-year-old, however, doesn’t think he has a “major issue” at hand but wants to not push things too much with it in what is essentially a busy cricket calendar.
“It’s disappointing to miss these matches against Pakistan but after chatting with the medical staff I can see the need to take a break at this time.”
“I do not regard this as a major issue but by staying on top of things now, we can ensure that it doesn’t become something more significant further down the line,”
he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Smith had been troubled by this elbow issue before but delayed rehab for the same, eyeing strong performances in the home Ashes preceding a historic three-Test trip to Pakistan. Having played his part in Australia’s series wins in both, he has now decided to undergo proper medical care over the next few weeks.
He would have seen what happens when an elbow issue is allowed to escalate across the Tasman Sea, where New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been missing from action since November 2021 after delaying his rehabilitation process.
The modern-day great is now staring at a two-month break after going unpicked at the Indian Premier League 2022 mega auction in Bangalore last month. Smith will be back in action via the all-format trip to Sri Lanka in June-July when Aussies play three T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches against the hosts.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey said the think-tank did not want to take any risks with Smith’s elbow issue, considering the amount of cricket Australia will play from June.
After Sri Lanka, the Aussies will get on with their preparations for the T20 World Cup and the home summer, featuring Test series versus West Indies and South Africa ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India next March.
Smith’s ouster adds to the list of prominent exclusions from the white-ball leg of the Pakistan series, already featuring Test skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and David Warner.
Bailey and his team have named legspinner Mitchell Swepson as Smith’s replacement for the series, keeping in mind they have enough batting reserves available.
