Steve Smith has been called up to Australia’s T20 World Cup squad after current captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of their opening match with “testicular bleeding.”
Marsh picked up a groin injury while training on Sunday in the run up to Australia’s match against Ireland, which they won by 67 runs on Wednesday, and there’s no timetable for his return according to a statement made by Cricket Australia.
“He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement,” the statement read.
Marsh has scored 2,102 runs in 78 T20 internationals for Australia
“Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice.
“Stand-by player Steve Smith will travel to Sri Lanka as cover to acclimatise and prepare, should he be required.”
Steve Smith has travelled to Sri Lanka as a possible replacement for Mitch Marsh
Marsh has been Australia’s T20 captain since April 2024 and will be a big loss for his side – but his replacement has no shortage of experience.
Smith, who has scored 1,094 international T20 runs, has not played a 20-over match for Australia for two years and missed out on squad selection despite impressive form in Australia’s domestic T20 competition, the Big Bash League.
Australia face Zimbabwe in Colombo in their second World Cup match on Friday, live on Sky Sports.
Australia overcome Marsh absence to beat Ireland in World Cup opener
Australia’s captain Travis Head, left, walks to shake hands with Ireland’s Matthew Humphreys
Australia shrugged off the painful loss of Marsh to overpower Ireland by 67 runs in their T20 World Cup opener in Colombo, bowling out their opposition for just 115 as they defended a first-innings score of 182-6.
Ireland had their own fitness issue to contend with as skipper Paul Stirling pulled up when taking a single off the first ball of their reply and was unable to retake the field. Like Marsh, he faces an uncertain future in the competition.
Without Stirling’s power-hitting at the top of the order, Ireland were unable to lay a glove on Australia’s well-drilled attack.
Only a punchy 41 from George Dockrell at No 8 spared them an even heavier defeat, with Nathan Ellis taking 4-12, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa also took 4-23.
Australia won the T20 World Cup cricket match against Ireland in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ireland’s chase never really recovered from Stirling’s early exit and the contest was all but over as they slipped to 27-4 in the fifth over. Ellis did the damage, bowling Ross Adair and Ben Calitz and having Curtis Campher caught in a decisive new-ball burst.
Lorcan Tucker battled for 24 but it was not until Dockrell’s belated arrival that the run-rate picked up. Both fell to Zampa, who tied up the middle overs expertly to snuff out the challenge.
Australia had earlier scored their runs at more than nine an over, recovering well from Marsh’s absence and the second-over run out of stand-in skipper Travis Head. Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw both hit 37, Inglis in a rapid 19-ball stay, while Marcus Stoinis took charge in the second half of the innings.
He racked up 45 off 29 deliveries as Ireland failed to find a way to shut down the scoring. With two defeats from two, they now face a stiff challenge to reach the next round, with fixtures against Oman and Zimbabwe to come.
Watch the Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from February 7 to March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
