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ToggleFormer Australia white-ball skipper Aaron Finch has revealed his Australia best XI for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, Aaron Finch skipped Steve Smith’s name from the team.
Steve Smith has been a crucial member of the Australian team in all three formats for the last few years. Smith is considered a powerful batter in Tests and ODIs. However, due to his poor strike rate, he is often dubbed unsuitable for the shortest format.
Notably, Steve Smith is the vice-captain of Australia in Tests and ODIs. In the recent ODI series against West Indies, the right-handed batter led the side in the absence of captain Pat Cummins.
Also Read: Massive blow for New Zealand! Daryl Mitchell ruled out of NZ vs SA 2nd Test, Australia T20Is
Aaron Finch snubs Steve Smith from his best-playing XI for T20 World Cup
During a conversation on ESPNCricinfo, former Australia captain and opener Aaron Finch revealed his best playing XI for Australia for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The former right-handed batter skipped Steve Smith’s name from his team.
Finch named David Warner and Travis Head as the openers. For the middle-order, he went ahead with players like Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Matthew Short, thereby omitting Smith from the list.
The cricketer-turned-commentator retained the pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc in the playing XI. For the spinner, he went ahead with Adam Zampa. Have a look at the video below.
No Steve Smith in Finch's starting World Cup XI ❎
ICYMI, he's been picked for the New Zealand T20Is #NZvAUS #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/FdtfnOf4i2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 8, 2024
Aaron Finch’s Australia playing XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis/Matthew Short, Tim David, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Also Read: Mitchell Marsh infected with COVID-19, yet he will participate in the 1st T20I vs the West Indies
Steve Smith picked for T20I series against New Zealand
Notably, Steve Smith has been picked for the forthcoming Australia vs New Zealand T20I series. Mitchell Marsh will lead the Australia side in the series, which will witness three encounters from February 21 to 25.
Australia is set to face West Indies under captain Mitchell Marsh in a three-match T20I series in their next campaign. The AUS vs WI games will take place on February 9, 11, and 13. Recently, Australia clinched a clean sweep in the ODI series 3-0 against West Indies under skipper Steve Smith. Earlier, the AUS vs WI Test series concluded in a 1-1 draw.
Also Read: Spencer Johnson replaces Nathan Ellis in Australia T20 squad for West Indies
Australia to face Oman in opening clash of T20 World Cup 2024
Meanwhile, ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will be played from June 1 to June 29 this year. A total of 20 teams are part of the tournament, which will take place in the West Indies and the USA. They are divided into 4 groups of 5 teams each. Australia is part of Group A in the T20 World Cup.
The four other teams in the same group are Namibia, Scotland, Oman, and England. Australia will play their opening game of the tournament on June 5. They will face Oman in the encounter at Kensington Oval Stadium in Barbados. Australia last won the T20I World Cup in 2021 under captain Aaron Finch.
