Cricket
Steve Smith and Jake Fraser-McGurk left out of Australia’s provisional T20 World Cup squad; Smith struggled in New Zealand in February but Fraser-McGurk has impressed in IPL with two 15-ball fifties – watch T20 World Cup live in full on Sky Sports in June
Wednesday 1 May 2024 09:23, UK
Australia have left out Steve Smith and Jake Fraser-McGurk from their provisional 15-man T20 World Cup for this June’s tournament in the USA and the Caribbean.
Former captain Smith made just four and 11 during two T20I innings in New Zealand in February and scored only one fifty in the format since 2019.
Fraser-McGurk has also been omitted despite impressing for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League with two 15-ball fifties and three half-centuries in total.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The 22-year-old’s strike-rate in six innings is a whopping 233.33 and chief selector George Bailey said the batter was among players who were part of “long conversations”.
On Smith, Bailey added: “It’s probably for Steve to answer what his goals or challenges are going forward and what he wants to achieve in the game. I know he still loves playing T20 cricket.”
Eleven players in the squad were part of the group that won the T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2021, including captain Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Australia T20 World Cup squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Archer named in England squad
T20 World Cup fixtures and schedule
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp
Stream Sky Sports with NOW
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch every match from the 2024 T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports Cricket from June 1-29, or stream with NOW.
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League and EFL, plus darts, cricket, tennis, golf and so much more.
You can now receive messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel. Find out more here…
© 2024 Sky UK