Steve Smith ruled out of NZ one-day tour
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is likely to captain Australia on the one-day tour of New Zealand after skipper Steve Smith was ruled out because of an ankle injury.
Steve Smith (right) with Matthew Wade. Photo: Joe Castro / AAP
Australian selectors will meet later today to appoint a captain for the three-match series starting January 30, with vice-captain David Warner being rested.
Smith says he sprained medial ligaments in his left ankle during last night’s ODI win over Pakistan in Adelaide.
He will have scans later Friday but has has been told by team medicos he’s expected to recover in seven to 10 days.
Wade appears the likely stand-in skipper as he leads Victoria – the only other state captains in the squad are West Australian Shaun Marsh, who is making his international return from injury, and South Australian 23-year-old Travis Head.
Opening batsman Aaron Finch has captained Australia in the Twenty20 but has just been recalled to the ODI squad after being dropped for the Pakistan series.
“There’s still guys around the group that have leadership capabilities,” Smith told reporters at Adelaide Airport on Friday.
“The selection panel will get together in the next couple of hours and have a clearer plan from there.”
A replacement batsman would also be named later Friday with Smith disappointed to miss the series but mindful of Australia’s Test tour of India beginning in late February.
“Every series is important and I would have loved to have been in New Zealand,” Smith said.
“I feel like I’m batting really well at the moment so when I’m batting well I want to keep going so it’s disappointing … but obviously we have got pretty big fish to fry shortly in India.”
Smith hurt his left ankle while fielding during Australia’s 57-run win against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval.
“I just landed really awkwardly on my foot and I felt something straight away,” he said.
“I went off and got it strapped and looked at, but was in a reasonable amount of pain in the field. I woke up in a reasonable amount of pain again.”
Smith was confident the injury wouldn’t impact on his preparation for the four-Test tour of India – that series starts on February 23.
“They think in seven to 10 days I will be back to almost normal, that is their thoughts at present,” he said.
“I have only got to listen to the medical staff and see where things go from there but they’re confident that everything will be okay from Dubai and into India as well.”
Australia’s Test squad will hold a training camp in Dubai ahead of the Indian series.
– AAP
