Steve Smith and David Warner were both not included in Australia’s squad for the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan in UAE despite being eligible for the final two games after their ball-tampering bans expire. Australia named an unchanged squad from the original 15-man group that is currently on tour of India. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc is another big name missing with the left-armer ruled out due to an injury. Speaking about Smith and Warner’s absence, selector Trevor Hohns said it had been decided they would be better served playing their way back into contention at the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Hohns said returning through IPL 2019 was deemed the best route back for the star duo.
“After consultation with members of the National Selection Panel, Greg Chappell and Head Coach Justin Langer, Interim EGM Team Performance Belinda Clark, CA Medical Team and both players, it has been agreed Steve Smith and David Warner will not be available for selection for the final two matches of the series against Pakistan,” Hohns said in a statement.
“While their bans will be finished on March 28, Steve and David have been working through rehabilitation from elbow surgery and it has been agreed the best pathway for them to return to play is in the Indian Premier League, a strong competition which features some of the world’s best players.”
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa
