Australia's selection chief George Bailey says Steve Smith is not slated to be in the starting XI for the T20 World Cup clash with New Zealand
Smith set to make way for David in World Cup XI
Steve Smith is set to be left out of the Australian team to play New Zealand in the T20 World Cup clash in Sydney on Saturday.
The 33-year-old was a member of the World Cup-winning side last year but and has shown versatility in being used in varied roles and has not been alone in struggling for runs in recent T20 internationals in India and at home.
Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey gave a strong clue about Smith's status for the upcoming Super 12 clash at the SCG when asked whether he would have a role to play.
"I think all the members of our 15 have a role to play but I don't think that will be starting in the XI for Steve," Bailey said.
"I think that should we need a role from him at some stage, then absolutely."
Smith's likely absence from the starting side will pave the way for Tim David to fill the No.6 role.
Opener David Warner had a neck strain that ruled him out of the third Dettol T20 international against England and he did not play against India in a low-key warm-up game on Monday.
Bailey said Warner was "fine" to play against New Zealand and was always set to sit out the India clash.
Allrounder Mitch Marsh has not bowled in a match since August due to an ankle injury. Bailey said he was not far away from bowling but could not guarantee that would be on Saturday.
"He is tracking well. I don't think it is any secret that our allrounders are an important part of our structure," Bailey said.
"I think he bowled 20 to 30 balls with pretty good intensity in the nets yesterday.
"I think he has hit all the markers that he wanted to but I think given the importance of that (allrounder) structure it is not something we wanted to risk too early but I fully expect that Mitch will be available and ready to go, whether that is Saturday or game two."
Pat Cummins said Australia were fortunate to have plenty of options with allrounder Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis more than capable of making a valuable contribution with the ball.
"You've seen Maxwell be a frontline bowler in one-day and T20 cricket," Cummins said.
"We feel like Stoinis can bowl anywhere in the innings and Maxwell can bowl in the Powerplay or through the middle, so no problems there."
Men's T20 World Cup 2022
Australia squad: Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Australia's T20 World Cup 2022 fixtures
Oct 22: v New Zealand, SCG, 6pm AEDT
Oct 25: v 1A, Optus Stadium, 10pm AEDT
Oct 28: v England, MCG, 7pm AEDT
Oct 31: v 2B, Gabba, 7pm AEDT
Nov 4: v Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT
Click here for a full 2022 T20 World Cup fixture