Aussies drop Smith for T20 World Cup

Australia have dropped Steve Smith and overlooked rising star Jake FraserMcGurk for this summer’s T20 World Cup.

England’s Group B rivals named their 15-man squad yesterday, firming up Mitch Marsh’s interim captaincy after three series in charge and making a couple of knife-edge selections for the tournament in the West Indies and the United States.

For the first time since 2014 they have opted to go without Smith, who offers huge experience as a reliable top-order run-scorer but lacks the explosive power-hitting expected to dominate the tournament.

The 34-year-old had two innings against New Zealand in February but knocks of 11 and four

RUGBY UNION England forward Maro Itoje has avoided a ban after being cited for a dangerous tackle during Saracens’ victory over Gallagher Premiership title rivals Bath.

The lock is free to play with immediate effect after the citing was dismissed by an failed to make a dent on the selectors. Conversely, Smith’s fellow veteran David Warner has been retained for a last hurrah at the expense of Fraser-McGurk.

The pair are teammates at IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, with the younger man hammering 259 runs off just 111 balls in his six matches to date, with 23 sixes along the way. Warner has been relatively becalmed by comparison, and has latterly suffered with a hand injury, but was deemed to have enough credit in the bank to hold his spot.

Ashton Agar was included as a second specialist spinner to support Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis took the final seam bowling slot.

independent disciplinary panel.

The news is a major boost for secondplaced Saracens ahead of their final two regular season games against Bristol and Sale Sharks.

Itoje made an upright tackle on

Alfie Barbeary, making head contact in the process.