Steve Smith to become Australia’s 22nd ODI captain in Hobart on Friday
Melbourne – Steve Smith will lead Australia in Friday’s tri-series match against England in absence of suspended George Bailey, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old replaces George Bailey after the Tasmanian was suspended for a second breach of over rate regulations in 12 months during Sunday’s match against India at the MCG.
Smith will be just the 22nd player to captain Australia in an ODI match, and it will be his first time leading Australia against its oldest cricket rival in any format.
Australia’s National Selection Panel also named batsmen Shaun Marsh and Cameron White in the 12-man squad to travel to Hobart, with David Warner joining Bailey on the sidelines after succumbing to hamstring soreness.
“Steven’s appointment was a straightforward decision given the excellent impression he made in charge of the side during the Commonwealth Bank Test series when he stepped in for the injured Michael Clarke,” chief selector Rod Marsh said.
“It is unfortunate for George Bailey that he will miss the match in his home state but in Steven we have a dynamic player who leads from the front, by example, and we look forward to him doing so again on Friday.”
The International Cricket Council banned Bailey, who was leading the side in place of injured regular skipper Michael Clarke, after Sunday`s match against India for a second over-rate offence in 12 months.
“It is unfortunate for George Bailey that he will miss the match in his home state but in Steven we have a dynamic player who leads from the front, by example, and we look forward to him doing so again on Friday” Marsh said.
While the responsibility for a team completing its overs in time falls squarely on the captain, head coach Darren Lehmann suggested the blame for Friday’s time infringement should be accepted by Australia’s wayward bowlers.
The Australian squad includes: Steven Smith (captain), Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Gurinder Sandhu, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
– DT/ZN
