Michael Clarke hits out over Steve Smith move ahead of T20 World Cup

Sports Reporter

Tue, 11 Oct 2022, 1:48 am·4-min read

Former Aussie captain Michael Clarke (pictured left) has called out the selectors for not picking Steve Smith (pictured right) in the recent T20 matches ahead of the World Cup. (Getty Images)

Former Aussie captain Michael Clarke has blasted the selectors for not prioritising Steve Smith ahead of the T20 World Cup after opting for Cameron Green, despite the allrounder not featuring in the squad.

Green currently is not in Australia's World Cup squad, but many have been left baffled as to why the Aussies continue to prioritise him in the lead-up matches.

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Smith, who is in the World Cup squad, was once again forced to carry the drinks against England on the weekend.

He was also not selected in the first match in the series against the West Indies.

This has prompted the 2015 World Cup winning captain Clarke to call out the selectors.

Clarke believes Green should be in the squad.

“They’ve made a mistake in not picking Cameron Green,” Clarke told Big Sports Breakfast.

“It’s as simple as that."

But since Green isn't in the squad, Clarke said Smith should be getting into form in front of the allrounder.

“Steve Smith can open the batting in T20 cricket. He’s in the squad, he’s a big chance of playing in this World Cup so surely you need him batting, making runs (and) in form, at this stage Cameron Green’s not in the World Cup. That’s what has been a little strange," he added.

Steve Smith (pictured left) walks away after speaking to Michael Clarke (pictured right) before the toss. — Michael Clarke (pictured right) believes Steve Smith (pictured left) should feature in Australia's T20 team in the World Cup. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Michael Clarke hits out over Steve Smith treatment

There is no question that Green is an absolute star in the making, but fans and pundits have been left highly confused as to why he continues to play in place of members of the World Cup squad.

Some believe that Smith has fallen so far down the pecking order that he won't be in Australia's top XI for the World Cup, with the likes of Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Mitch Marsh set to get the nod ahead of him.

Clarke is not one of those critics.

The World Cup winner said when the times get tough during the tournament, teammates will want one of the best batters in the sport on the team.

“My reason always for (including) someone like a Steve Smith in your team is because not all conditions are the same, if we lose two for not many, you’ve got one of the world’s best batsmen coming in,” he said.

Aaron Finch has spent almost his entire T20 international career as an opener, but many fans were baffled when was shuffled down the order to No.4.

Aaron Finch (pictured) walks to the post match interview. — Aaron Finch (pictured) is set to move back to the top of the order for Australia's next two games against England. (Photo by Paul Kane - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

The captain made scores of 58 and 15 in the 2-0 series win over the West Indies, and was run out for just 12 while batting at No.4 in Sunday's eight-run loss to England.

While Finch said he would return as opener for the final two games against England, Clarke labelled the shuffling of the captain down the order as just 'silly'.

Green enjoyed remarkable success as opener during the 2-1 series loss in India.

But his return to Australia has been less fruitful, with Green posting scores of 14, 1, and 1 as opener in his past three innings.

Despite that, Green appears set to be first cab off the rank if Australia need a late injury replacement for their World Cup title defence.

with AAP

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