SYDNEY: Former Australia captain Steve Smith, who has been in and out of the team recently, is not expected to play in his nation's opening Men's T20 World Cup 2022 match against New Zealand on Saturday.

Smith was a part of the team that won the T20 World Cup the previous year, but he hasn't been in great shape since then, losing his spot to players like Cameron Green. In the three-match series in India and at home against England, he has had trouble scoring runs.
George Bailey, the chief national selector for Australia, appears to have been led by this to strongly suggest that Smith might not be included in the squad for their opening encounter against the Black Caps here on Saturday.

The local media on Thursday cited Bailey as stating, "I think all the members of our 15 have a job to play but I don't think that will be starting in the 11 for Steve."

"I believe that if we ever require a role from him, then without a doubt," Bailey said that the game's first opponent, New Zealand, should see opener David Warner in action. In addition to sitting out the warm-up match against India after being pulled out of the squad to trip India for T20Is last month, Warner missed the third T20 International against England due to a neck ailment.

Mitchell Marsh, an all-rounder who hasn't bowled since August because of an ankle injury, is close to bowling again, but Bailey was unable to guarantee that he will be in Saturday's team.

He is moving along nicely. It is no secret, in my opinion, that our all-arounders play a crucial role in our organisational structure, according to Bailey. "I believe he bowled 20 to 30 balls yesterday in the nets with really decent intensity," I believe he has achieved all of his goals, but given the value of the (allrounder) structure, I do not believe we wanted to take a premature risk. Nevertheless, I am certain that Mitch will be available and prepared to play whether it is Saturday or game two, Bailey said.

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