Smith Omitted, Fraser-McGurk Overlooked as Australia Names T20 World Cup Squad

Despite Jake Fraser-McGurk's outstanding play in the present IPL, Australia's selectors decided not to add the experienced batter Steve Smith in their roster for the T20 World Cup and instead turned down requests to include the rookie batsman.

Smith played T20s against New Zealand in February and was part of Australia's winning team at the 2021 tournament in the United Arab Emirates, but he was unable to pursue his claims further after losing out on an IPL deal.

Smith, 34, will take great pain from his exclusion as one of Australia's best all-around performers with more than 16,000 runs in international cricket.

Smith had no place in a decided starting lineup that included David Warner, Travis Head, and captain-elect Mitchell Marsh, according to selectors chief George Bailey.

Bailey told reporters in a video conference on Wednesday, "It's probably for Steve to answer what his goals or challenges are going forward and what he wants to achieve in the game." "I know he still loves playing T20 cricket."

Despite having no T20 international experience, 22-year-old Fraser-McGurk had made a compelling case for the team by amassing 247 runs at an incredible strike rate of 237.50 in five games for the Delhi Capitals.

Fraser-McGurk was one of the participants involved in "long conversations" Bailey claimed, regarding the June 1–29 showcase in the US and the Caribbean.

But with injuries coming on the 15-man roster, his sole chance of playing right now is now slim.

Selectors stuck with the core group of players that helped Australia win a historic sixth 50-over World Cup last year, although they went with Ashton Agar as their second spinner and selected Cameron Green as their backup all-rounder.

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