Steve Smith’s participation in doubt for T20 World Cup 2021 and Ashes

Australia’s most reliable batsman Steve Smith is not part of the team’s tour to the Caribbean Islands for the limited-overs series. Few speculated that he has taken rest due to bio-bubble fatigue and tiredness. But as per the latest reports, Smith has suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury which apparently he had earlier this year. The right-hand batter was almost ruled out of IPL before he was fit in time to play few games for Delhi Capitals.

Apart from playing IPL, Smith was also part of the Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield (domestic tournaments) in Australia. Things seemed to be going well for the batter before the problem again cropped up which now rules him out of the West Indies and Bangladesh tours.

Incidentally, the 32-year-old underwent surgery in early 2019 when he was out of action for one year due to Sandpaper Saga. After that, he had a terrific Ashes series in England in which the batter scored over 600 runs. But now everything seems to be back in square one with this elbow issue being cropped up again.

Apart from the two tours, Australia are also gearing up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled to be held in India in the month of October. Although the global event is still five months away, Smith’s recovery from it and how he manages his fitness will decide his participation in the T20 event.

“Unfortunately I can’t tell you how long or how serious it is but it’s something he’s had before and definitely flared up again in the IPL,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. “How long it will take to get it completely right I can’t tell you at the moment, I’ve had no further advice on that, but the main thing is for Steven from our view is to make sure he is fit for the T20 World Cup and of course the Ashes,” national selector Trevor Hohns said as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Steve Smith is a vital cog in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad

Although the right-hand batter has not been consistent as he would have liked to be in the shortest format, he still is crucial for the Men in Yellow. His ability to anchor the innings while the other stroke-makers going for big hits makes him important at the number three position in the T20 lineup. The management and selectors will keep a close eye on Smith and hope he returns to full fitness.