Steve Smith Sidelined? Australia forced to explain ‘Cover’ call after T20 World Cup disaster: Australia has been knocked out of the 2026 T20 World Cup. They surprisingly lost against Zimbabwe in the competition and then against co-hosts Sri Lanka. This is the second time they have been knocked out of the competition for the first time since 2009. They came in with an inexperienced bowling attack in the competition.
Steve Smith, who was brought in as a ‘cover’ after Mitchell Marsh was injured and missed out on the first two games. Smith’s role was clarified by selector Tony Dodemaide after the loss against Sri Lanka.
Steve Smith’s inclusion as ‘cover’ explained
The surprise exit has predictably sparked criticism at home, with Dodemaide himself stating that the failure will be “fully analysed” following a “really disappointing” season.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said, “We see him primarily as at the top and that’s where he’s come into the squad as cover for that area. He was only really available for game three,” said Dodemaide, “which was the game that we had our best performed pairing, which is (Mitchell) Marsh and (Travis) Head, who did extremely well.”
“If we got more moving parts and we had to think of things differently, then that’s a different story, but certainly now Steve still retains his place as cover for that opening position.”
Steve Smith’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad was questioned
After Australia’s loss against Sri Lanka, former opener Mark Waugh called out Smith’s snub in an interview with SENQ Breakfast, labelling it as an “insult” to the former Aussie captain.
“I think that the whole campaign was doomed from the get go with selection issues and injuries.” Waugh said. “To me, the non-selection of Steve Smith in the squad originally is the most baffling non-selection I can remember for ages.
“I just think they’ve got the selections completely wrong and to have your best player by 100 yards sitting on the sidelines in Steve Smith, I think it’s an insult to Steve Smith, to be honest.”
Steve Smith’s exclusion was more shocking due to his excellent form during the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26 season, where he scored 299 runs at an average of 59.80 and a strike-rate of 167.97, including a century and two fifties.
Australia missed out on their two premium fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, as they were ruled out of the competition due to various injuries. Ahead of their first game against Ireland, they suffered another blow in the form of captain Mitchell Marsh, picking up a groin injury and missed two games.
Matthew Hayden slams Cameron Green
The decision to drop in-form Matt Renshaw in the game against Sri Lanka and retain Cameron Green left Matthew Hayden fuming. “Green has just looked awful with the bat,” Hayden told BBC Test Match Special. “He looks woody, he looks tinny, he looks like he’s just a man with no confidence, and I’d be very surprised if that’s not exactly the case.”
There has been nothing right going with Australia after their Test series win against England. They will be facing Oman in their final game of the competition, which is set to be a dead rubber; however, they would like to finish the competition on a high note by a big win against the associate nation.
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