Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes Steve Smith’s absence from the T20 World Cup side will be felt across the team.
Smith and explosive young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk were notable omissions from the 15-man squad to be led by new captain Mitchell Marsh.
Speaking to media on Monday, Hazlewood suggested Smith’s reliability – particularly when Australia lost early wickets – should have had him in the team, and the conditions would have suited his playing style anyway.
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He said his experience would have also been invaluable to Marsh as he leads his country at a major tournament for the first time.
“Just having another player on the field like Smudge who you can just turn to at any time and get his advice,” Hazlewood said.
“Obviously he’s batting and fielding as well, the conditions potentially could have suited his game and picking up the pieces from a bad start is his job.
“I think the way we’ve seen him bat for the Sixers, there’s a spot there at the top as well, but you just can’t squeeze everyone in.”
The Caribbean pitches are usually on the slower side, and pitches generally slow down naturally towards the back end of major tournaments through wear and tear.
The Australian top order is expected to have David Warner and Travis Head as openers, with Marsh coming in at three.
Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade could make up the middle order, and then Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Adam Zampa will likely make up the core bowling attack.
Hazlewood said the experience of the Australian top order was the reason behind Fraser-McGurk’s snub, but forecast a long and fruitful career in the national level – potentially across all formats.
“The way he goes about it, the ball striking, it’s quite special. (But) where do you fit him in?,” Hazlewood asked.
“… He’ll definitely get his time – he’s only young. He’ll be in the team sooner rather than later.
“It would be nice to see them in all three formats but opportunity is probably the thing.
“Guys like Stoinis and Maxwell over the years, the opportunity to play a red ball game for their state is sort of non-existent almost, and when they do, … (they’ve) just come back from six months overseas, playing all the franchise leagues, and you need a rest as well.
“But he’s quite young – hopefully he has a bit of a crack in red ball cricket as well.”
AUSTRALIA’S T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD
Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.