Australia suffered a massive blow after their batsman Steve Smith was ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series and lone T20I against Pakistan due to an elbow injury. On Friday (March 25), Cricket Australia (CA) issued a statement regarding this and it said that “Smith experienced some discomfort during the three-match Test series.”
Official statement
"Smith experienced some discomfort during the three-match Test series and, with a full schedule of international cricket over the coming 18 months, it was felt prudent to prioritise recovery and treatment at this time," a Cricket Australia statement said.
Previously, Australia team management had to rest players like David Warner, Glen Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins for the series. On the other hand pacer Kane Richardson was also ruled out due to an injury issue.
“Steve has been experiencing some minor discomfort in his left elbow during the latter stages of the Test series in Pakistan and, given he had an injury with the same elbow last year, we felt it important to manage this proactively.
"Withdrawing him from the white ball matches means Steve will have the necessary time to rehabilitate his elbow to ensure his continuing availability and performance for Australia,” said Cricket Australia's head of sports science and sports medicine, Alex Kountouris.
George Bailey's stand
On the other hand, George Bailey, the Chairman of Selectors, while talking about the former Aussie skipper’s injury said that “it is appropriate for Steve to return home at the end of the Test series in Pakistan.”
"With the significant amount of cricket to come over the next 18 months, and the fact he has had an issue with the same elbow previously, it is appropriate for Steve to return home at the end of the Test series in Pakistan.
"We have opted not to name a replacement batter as we feel we have options within the existing squad, and Steve's absence offers up additional opportunities to players within the group,” Chairman of Selectors George Bailey said.
Pakistan ODI and T20 squad
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)
Australia ODI and T20 squad
Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa
