Steve Smith Dropped Out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Steve Smith has dropped out of the Australian squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The change might have occurred due to his poor form in the recent.

There has been some confusion in the air - will Steve Smith play the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024? Almost a month back, Steve claimed that he was not too bothered about the selection in the official squad for the tournament. 

Steven Smith is dropping from the World Cup. Steve knows his performance, especially in the recent T20I series against New Zealand. Smith said- 

"I got a couple of decent balls, to be fair. (Adam) Milne got one to take off in the second game, which was tough. Lockie, when that sun was setting, it wasn't easy to pick up, but he gave me a nice in-swinger. Look, it wasn’t ideal, but it is what it is, and whatever will be will be from here. I’m not sure what (selectors) want to do. I’m not too fussed either way. If I’m there, I’m there. If I’m not, I’m not," said Smith. 

This might be the reason why Smith decided to drop out of the tournament. While New Zealand has already announced its squad, Australia has also. 

It seems like the Chief Selector, George Bailey, has the right explanation for this decision. He stated that the squad keeps experience as a priority. The experience is highly essential, considering the scenarios expected in the West Indies. 

Smith's drop from the tournament is not a personal decision. His recent performances and the team’s set top-order batting line-up have affected the selection. 

While suggesting the gradual shift towards experts in various formats, Bailey said- 

"We've had a handful of players who have been multi-format for a long time, and, naturally, some of those will start to drop off," 

Bailey also acknowledged Smith’s great performances for the Sydney Sixers while playing at the top order in the Big Bash League. There are plenty of fish in the sea as per George Bailey and there are many other talented players to fill this position. 

Players like David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh, the new captain, are better options. Considering all these scenarios, the T20 World Cup team surely needed Smith’s replacement. 

Steve’s best performance comes at the top order and presently that order is not a high concern. Check out Bailey’s statement- 

His (Steve Smith's) best T20 work of late has come to the top of the order, and at the moment, we see that the top order is settled. I still think he's got an enormous amount of good cricket left ahead of him, across what formats; I think that's as much up for him to decide," 

As the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup is about to commence, Australia is ready with their 15-member squad. The selectors are thinking strategically to utilize every single player throughout the T20 World Cup to improve their chances of emerging victorious against West Indies.