Steve Smith could miss Australia's World Cup opener

Spot

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Blow

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Form

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50+ score

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Stats

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Probable XI vs NZ

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Steve Smith could miss Australia's World Cup opener

Spot

Australian batter Steve Smith might not find a place in his side's starting XI in the opening ICC T20 World Cup match versus New Zealand. Australia's Chairman of Selectors George Bailey indicated the same.

Blow

It's a blow for Smith, with Bailey being upfront regarding the plans of the Aussie side. Smith hasn't quite been able to showcase his potential in T20I cricket for Australia, thereby bringing the merit factor into play.

Form

Of late, Smith has managed scores of 35, 8, 9, 17, and 7* for the Aussies in his last five international appearances. In the warm-up fixture versus India recently, Smith could only muster 11 runs.

50+ score

Since his 80*-run knock versus Pakistan in November 2019, Smith has failed to smash a single fifty. In 22 innings, he has surpassed 40 runs on two occasions.

Stats

Overall, Smith has mustered 1,004 runs in the 20-over format for Australia at an average of 25.74. He has plundered four half-centuries with the best of 90.

Probable XI vs NZ

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, and Adam Zampa.