Doubt on Smith role
Australia captain Mitch Marsh wouldn’t confirm what role Steve Smith would play in the T20 opener against New Zealand, with the batting star’s place in the spotlight ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Marsh said Travis Head would be the man to walk out at the top of the order with David Warner in the first of the final three matches in Wellington on Wednesday ahead of the World Cup, and that he would assume his regular role at No.3.
But the emergence of Josh Inglis, who will take the gloves in the absence of Matthew Wade, as a regular run-maker and the power offerings from Glenn Maxwell and Tim David in the middle order has created questions over where Smith fits in.
Only injury prevented Matt Short and Marcus Stoinis from being in the squad in New Zealand, further highlighting the situation Smith is in.
Smith skipped the most recent series against the West Indies and could have three matches to prove he still has a place in the T20 outfit that is seeking to secure a third major trophy for Australia in the US and Caribbean from July.
“You’ll have to find out, we’ll announce our team at the toss,” Marsh said in response to a query about Maxwell and Smith’s batting roles against New Zealand.
“There will be certain guys that probably bat in different positions than they have done in the past, but ultimately we’re here to win the series.
“I’ve batted three for the last 18 months, so I’ll be there to start with.
“And obviously Heady and Davey Warner have been amazing for us over the last period of time, so I daresay that will be the top three.
“I think players like Tim (David) are a rarity, and it (No.6) is probably the hardest role within T20 cricket. We’re lucky to have him.
“He’s become a phenomenal player in that role and there’s no doubt he’s going to play a big part for us.”
Without being locked in as captain for the World Cup, Marsh looms as the man most likely, meaning he gets to control a bowling line-up including Test captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Marsh knows what a luxury it is to have Cummins as a sounding board, but also as someone he gets to direct.
“I can’t wait to tell him what to do,” Marsh said, with a laugh.
“I’m normally filling in for his press conferences when he’s had enough, so I’ll get him back at some stage.
“But I also feel pretty lucky to have somebody like Pat as another leader within our group to fall back on, and the experienced heads we’ve got that will help me in certain times throughout this series.
“I just think their experience (Cummins and Starc), certainly at this level and the three of them (with Hazlewood) work together so well.
“We’re lucky to have those guys back. Over the international schedule you don’t see those guys play a lot of T20 international cricket together, so to have them back and building towards a World Cup is great.”
Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa