Cricket

Australia's T20 World Cup squad has been announced, with some notable omissions. Jake Fraser-McGurk, despite his impressive IPL performances, and Steven Smith, a veteran of three-formats, have been left out.The selectors have opted for flexibility, choosing Ashton Agar as a second specialist spinner and Cameron Green as a spare allrounder. Nathan Ellis has been included as the fourth fast bowling option, while Josh Inglis will serve as the reserve wicketkeeper and utility batter.Fraser-McGurk's exclusion is surprising given his recent form. However, the selectors have prioritized experience and versatility. Travis Head, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh, who were dominant at last year's ODI World Cup, will form the top three.Smith's omission is less shocking. He has struggled to find a place in Australia's T20I side, having been dropped from the 2022 World Cup squad. The selectors have opted for a settled middle order, with Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Matthew Wade likely to be in the first-choice XI.Green and Inglis were preferred to Fraser-McGurk and Smith due to their versatility. Green can cover for the injury-prone Marsh and Stoinis, while Inglis can fill in as wicketkeeper or bat in various positions.Chairman of selectors George Bailey explained the rationale behind the selections. "We believe Ashton can play a critical role in this tournament... The batting options available allow a tailored approach to each venue and opponent."Marsh, the captain, expressed his excitement about leading the team. "It's been an immense privilege to play for my country and now an even greater honour to lead the squad to a World Cup."

Travis Head, the dynamic Australian batter, has opted to extend his playing season by joining Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC) alongside fellow countryman Steven Smith. Head's decision comes despite the grueling schedule he has endured in recent months, including the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL).Head's decision to continue playing reflects his unwavering commitment to the sport and his desire to maintain his form. Despite experiencing fatigue at the end of the Australian summer, he has chosen to embrace the challenge of a new league and a new environment.Washington Freedom, under the guidance of former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, has assembled an impressive roster for the upcoming MLC season. Head and Smith will join New Zealand allrounder Rachin Ravindra, South African paceman Marco Jansen, and Trinidadian spinner Akeal Hosein.Head's signing adds further depth to the Australian contingent in MLC, which already includes Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, and Tim David. The tournament, which kicks off immediately after the T20 World Cup, promises to showcase some of the world's best cricketers.Head's decision to join MLC is a testament to the growing popularity of the league and its ability to attract top-tier talent. The tournament provides an opportunity for players to extend their playing season and gain valuable experience in a different cricketing environment.

Steven Smith, the former Australian captain, has officially signed with the Washington Freedom franchise for the upcoming season of Major League Cricket (MLC). The move was widely anticipated, as Smith had previously signed as a brand ambassador for Freedom and Australia's international schedule allows him to participate in the tournament through July.Smith's signing is a significant boost for Freedom, who have a high-performance partnership with Smith's domestic team in Australia, New South Wales (NSW). In 2023, several NSW players, including Moises Henriques, Tanveer Sangha, and Ben Dwarshuis, were part of Freedom's squad.Smith, who owns an apartment in New York, has expressed his excitement about playing in the USA. However, he faces a challenge in earning a spot in Australia's final 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup in June, as he has not played much T20 cricket recently.Despite his limited T20 appearances, Smith remains a highly respected and experienced player. He has a prolific record in the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Sydney Sixers, where he made 346 runs at a strike rate of 174.74 in the 2022-23 season.Smith's signing joins a growing list of Australian players who have committed to MLC, including Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), and Tim David (MI New York). The tournament is expected to attract more Australian players after the T20 World Cup ends on June 29.

Steven Smith, who faced relentless heckling after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, has advised Hardik Pandya to "block out" the boos and abuse he has received from fans during the ongoing IPL. Smith believes that Hardik needs support from his Mumbai Indians teammates, especially Rohit Sharma, who he replaced as captain.Smith, who was banned for a year after admitting to "leadership failure" in the Newlands Test, said he treated the heckling he experienced as "white noise." He suggested that Hardik might be surprised by the reception because it is not often that India's top players are booed by fans.However, Smith acknowledged that the abuse from fans, coupled with criticism of his captaincy, could impact Hardik adversely. He pointed out that Hardik has not experienced such a reception before, especially as a star Indian player.Smith also expressed concern about Hardik's tactical decisions in Mumbai Indians' back-to-back losses. He believes Hardik erred by batting himself too low in the first game and by not bowling Jasprit Bumrah enough in the second game.Smith suggested that Rohit Sharma could play a role in supporting Hardik, similar to how Virat Kohli defended Smith during the 2019 World Cup. He said that Rohit could stand up and ask fans to support Hardik, which could help him overcome the current challenges.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine believes that opposition teams will be delighted to see Steven Smith continue opening the batting, despite his underwhelming start in the role. However, Paine does not anticipate any changes to the batting order for the upcoming India series.Paine remains optimistic about Smith's ability to succeed as an opener, despite his struggles in New Zealand, where he managed only 51 runs at an average of 12.75. However, he acknowledges that Smith's new position may not instill the same level of fear in bowlers."If I was playing against Australia, I would want Steve Smith to open the batting," Paine said. "I want my best bowlers at their freshest with a brand new ball. When he was at his best batting at four, you just felt he couldn't get out."Smith's promotion to the top of the order has allowed Cameron Green to return to his preferred position at No. 4, where he impressed with an unbeaten 174 in the first Test at Wellington.Head coach Andrew McDonald has defended Smith's early returns, arguing that it is unfair to judge him based on just four Tests. Australia's next Test assignment will be against India in late November, who could potentially field a formidable pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj."I don't think anything changes," Paine said of Australia's batting order. "Smith has earned the right to bat wherever he wants. If he is driven enough to be Australia's Test opener, I think he'll make it work."

Australia's thrilling chase in Christchurch capped off a successful southern hemisphere summer, where they emerged victorious in six out of seven Tests, including both matches in New Zealand. However, despite their impressive record, concerns linger about the team's performance and the challenges they may face in their upcoming series against India.One of the most pressing issues is the performance of Steven Smith as an opener. While he produced an exceptional 91 not out in Brisbane, his subsequent returns have been underwhelming. Coach Andrew McDonald has defended Smith, arguing that he needs more time to adjust to his new role. However, Smith's struggles against the new ball have raised questions about his suitability as an opener.The batting unit as a whole has also faced criticism. They have only passed 300 once in six completed innings and have relied heavily on lower-order contributions. McDonald acknowledges the need for improvement but believes they have the best seven batters in the country.Another concern is the workload of the "big three" bowlers: Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc. They have played seven consecutive Tests this summer and 10 out of 11 ODIs at the World Cup. While the pitches this summer have been favorable, the selectors will need to consider their long-term fitness ahead of the India series.The back-up bowlers remain Scott Boland and Michael Neser, with hopes that Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson can return to full fitness. However, Richardson's injury troubles remain a major concern.On a positive note, Australia's bowlers have made significant contributions with the bat in New Zealand, which has been a major win for the team.Nathan Lyon's performance against India looms as a key battle. While he has been excellent in New Zealand, his record against India at home has not been as impressive. However, he will be coming off a full County Championship season with Lancashire and will hope to thrive on surfaces that offer extra bounce.