Kandy, February 16: A crucial match in Group B of the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to take place between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy this evening at 7 PM. Ahead of this significant encounter, Australia has officially included former captain Steve Smith in their squad.
Smith has been brought in to replace fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. He was initially sent as a cover for captain Mitchell Marsh, who suffered an injury during practice sessions. Marsh will miss the first two matches due to this injury.
On Sunday, Smith trained with the Australian team in Kandy and is now available for selection in the playing eleven. Selector Tony Dodemaide stated, “According to ICC rules, any changes to the team must be made at least one day before the match. With Steve here and some uncertainty regarding Mitch and Marcus Stoinis, it makes sense for him to be active and available for selection if needed.”
However, the likelihood of Smith being included in the playing eleven for the match against Sri Lanka on Monday appears low. Captain Mitchell Marsh is expected to return and take on the opening responsibilities, but if Marsh is unable to play, Smith’s chances of inclusion will significantly increase.
Smith has not played a T20 match for Australia since February 2024. His recent performance in the completed BBL was impressive, leading to speculation about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup.
In his T20 career, Smith has scored 1,094 runs in 55 innings across 67 matches for Australia, including five half-centuries. A victory against Sri Lanka is crucial for Australia, as a loss could eliminate them from the World Cup.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
