Breather for Steve Smith

AUSTRALIA captain Steve Smith is to leave the tour of Sri Lanka and return home to rest before their limited-overs series in South Africa before they host the Proteas at the start of a busy home schedule.

Vice-captain David Warner will lead the side for the remaining three oneday internationals and two Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka.

“It’s obviously going to be a big summer with South Africa and then six Tests at home, then limited-overs matches against New Zealand,” Smith said after his side lost the second one-day international against Sri Lanka by 82 runs in Colombo on Wednesday.

“It was talked about that they give me a little break at some point. We had a few discussions, myself, coach Darren (Lehmann) and Rod (Marsh), who also consulted with the other selectors.

“It took a bit of convincing to get me over the line, but a little bit of a break will do me the world of good.” – Reuters