AUS vs SL: Why did Steve Smith miss T20 World Cup 2026 match 30?

Steve Smith has been added to Australia’s squad as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood.

Australia are clashing with Sri Lanka in their third match of T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on February 16, Monday. Both teams are part of Group B and are looking forward to making it to the Super 8 round with a victory in the encounter.

Australia have played two games in the tournament, winning one match and losing one. They commenced the tournament with a victory against Ireland but lost the second clash against Zimbabwe. They need to win AUS vs SL at any cost to keep their chances of Super 8 alive.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka have won two matches in a row, crushing Ireland by 20 runs and Oman by a huge margin of 105 runs. If they beat Australia, they will book a berth in the next round, becoming the first team to qualify from their pool.

Mitchell Mash returned for the clash against Sri Lanka after missing the first two games due to a groin injury. At the toss, he named Australia’s playing XI for the match. Interestingly, Steve Smith was not preferred for the clash.

Why did Steve Smith miss AUS vs SL match of T20 World Cup 2026?

The right-handed batsman was added as a cover for Marsh initially when the latter suffered the injury ahead of Australia’s opening game. Ahead of AUS vs SL game, Smith was officially named as the replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the squad.

However, despite being added to the squad, Smith was not preferred for the match against Sri Lanka. Australia made three changes to their playing XI as Marsh, Cooper Conolly, and Xavier Bartlett were added.

Smith was not picked as Marsh made a comeback to the XI. Also, they preferred batting all-rounder Conolly as the surface is spin-friendly and offers turn. It should be noted that Marsh did not say anything about Smith’s absence at the toss.

AUS vs SL Playing XI’s

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

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