Messaging needs to be better: Smith

If Steve Smith is to be rested again, the Australia skipper wants the messaging to be more proactive to avoid the backlash he endured after heading home early from the Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka.

Smith went home after the second one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo last month, leaving the island nation with only one win from five matches, including a 3-0 Test series loss.

The move sparked criticism from former internationals Michael Slater, Michael Clarke and Mahela Jayawardena, with the timing of the decision, to exit after two ODIs, the main point of disapproval. 

At this stage the move to send Smith home appears to be a success; Australia, under the leadership of David Warner, went undefeated for the remainder of the tour and Smith put up his feet and is now refreshed ahead of the Qantas Tour of South Africa.

Reflecting on how his withdrawal from Sri Lanka unfolded, Smith said he wants the messaging to be more forthright in the future.

"For me, it was just about getting the messaging across and I think we could have got the messaging across a little bit better," Smith said when asked how his departure from Sri Lanka was perceived.

"We knew a fair way out that I was going to be leaving after the second one-day game and I think the fact that we only brought it out the day before probably shocked a few people.

"In the future, if this sort of thing pops up and someone’s having a rest, particularly me or probably David (Warner), it’s about getting it out a little bit earlier and making sure that message is right." 

While Smith returns for the South Africa series, Australia will be without their two premier fast bowlers, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rested for the one-day tour.

Starc played every match on the tour of Sri Lanka, but will unfortunately be spending his time at home recovering from a fielding mishap last week which required 30 stitches in his left leg.

The gruelling workload on Australia’s quicks is not lost on Smith nor the selectors, and the option to rest the pair of New South Welshman opens the door for a trio of speedsters in Dan Worrall, Joe Mennie and Chris Tremain.

"There’s plenty of cricket on," Smith said. "Particularly (for) the fast bowlers, it’s very difficult for them to sustain it (fitness) for long periods of time and go full-tilt which we want those guys doing.

"But having said that for this series (in South Africa) it gives a couple of guys an opportunity.

"We get a chance to get a look at the likes of Tremain, Worrall and Mennie who are in the squad, so hopefully they’ll take that opportunity with both hands."

Australia depart for South Africa on Tuesday morning before taking on Ireland in a one-off ODI on September 27 followed by a five-match one-day series against the hosts starting September 30 in Centurion.