T20 World Cup: Australia’s Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis, who were part of the Delhi Capitals side in IPL 2021, are all set to join their national side of the warm-up game against New Zealand and India for the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. Australia is scheduled to face New Zealand on October 18 in Abu Dhabi and India on October 20 in Dubai.
Steve Smith was dropped from the playing XI of Delhi Capitals as Marcus Stoinis made comeback into the side ahead of the crucial qualifier 2 game. Marcus Stoinis, who got injured after playing just one game in the second half of the IPL 2021, could not impress with the bat as he played a sluggish inning of 16 runs in 26 balls. The all-rounder was suffering from a hamstring injury throughout the 2nd phase of the cash-rich league.
Marcus Stoinis in IPL 2021
Matches – 10
Runs – 89
Wickets – 2
AVG – 22.25
S/R – 123.61
50s – 0
Steve Smith on the other hand also played just 2 games for DC in IPL 2021 phase. Steve Smith was not part of the Australia team that toured West Indies and Bangladesh earlier this year. Australia’s pace attack is also not expecting the late arrival of their star pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Hazlewood will be representing Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 final while Pat will join the camp after the birth of his first child.
Steve Smith in IPL 2021
Matches – 8
Runs – 152
AVG – 25. 33
S/R – 112.59
50s – 0
Both Marcus Stoinis and Smith have barely played cricket ahead of the T20 WC. Thus, the warm-up games against India and New Zealand are very crucial for them. Australia will play their first game of the T20 WC on October 23 against South Africa.
Warm-up game fixtures
| Date | Time (GST) | Match | City |
| 18th Oct | 2pm | Afghanistan v/s South Africa | Abu Dhabi |
| 18th Oct | 2pm | Pakistan v/s West Indies | Dubai |
| 18th Oct | 6pm | New Zealand v/s Australia | Abu Dhabi |
| 18th Oct | 6pm | India v/s England | Dubai |
| 20th Oct | 2pm | England v/s New Zealand | Abu Dhabi |
| 20th Oct | 2pm | India v/s Australia | Dubai |
| 20th Oct | 6pm | Pakistan v/s South Africa | Abu Dhabi |
| 20th Oct | 6pm | Afghanistan v/s West Indies | Dubai |
Australia T20 World Cup Squad: Aaron Finch (C), Pat Cummins (VC), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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