'The captain should be there until the end!'
A host of cricket legends, including Michael Clarke, have questioned why skipper Steve Smith is coming home from Sri Lanka early.
Smith will miss the remaining three one-day fixtures and two T20s, with vice-captain David Warner to take the reins for the first time.
"I hate missing cricket but in the long run it will do me a world of good," Smith said following his side's 82-run loss on Thursday that saw the hosts level the series 1-1.
"The schedule is very busy. I still want to take on the role in all three formats and do it to the best of my ability."
Smith has played 83 matches since the start of last year's IPL and has played 62 days of cricket since the start of this year.
But a number of greats of the game took to Twitter to express their dismay that Smith was leaving his side in the middle of a series.
I don't understand Steve Smith returning early from ODI series. The captain should be there to the end! @Iheals @BigSportsBrekky #AUSvSL
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) August 24, 2016
I would of liked to have seen the captain play until the series was won and then have a rest. https://t.co/i0WEWqOVe7
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) August 25, 2016
In the same breath if Smithy needed a break then he should have flown home after the Test matches not 2x ODIs in. https://t.co/i0WEWqOVe7
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) August 25, 2016
By the looks of that my 2nd tweet might be spot on. https://t.co/B82p6CQOTH
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) August 25, 2016
Or come home before the ODI series started and give @davidwarner31 a better chance at Captaincy. #headscratching https://t.co/Iyd8uWo9mc
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) August 25, 2016
Surprised to see smith going back home to prepare for SA tour when this one is not finished. Would any other @CricketAus captain done this?
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 25, 2016
Aus model intrigues me...in Jan they sent half their team to NZ during #IndvAus T20. Now, Smith goes home to 'rest' in the middle of #SLvAUS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 25, 2016
Chairman of Selectors Rod Marsh said it was always part of his plan to give Smith a rest, regardless of the state of the current series which followed a dismal 3-0 Test whitewash by Sri Lanka.
"Steve has a large amount of cricket coming up in the next 12 months and we wanted to find a time for him to freshen up and these last five matches provide a good opportunity to do so," Marsh said.
"Our plan was always for Steve to take a break and refresh ahead of the ODI series against South Africa next month.
with AAP