Swepson called up, Smith ruled out of ODI series

Steve Smith will miss Australia's one-day internationals and T20 clashes against Pakistan, stepping away to manage some niggling discomfort caused by a slight elbow injury.

After playing a part in their Test triumph in Pakistan, the 32-year-old batting star will return home after deciding not to risk aggravating any problem in the left elbow, which he injured last year.

He'll be replaced by Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson in the squad, who'll play three ODIs (29, 31 March and 2 April) and a T20 (5 April) in Lahore.

Smith joins fellow star players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell in missing the white-ball leg of the tour, and the news comes just days after Kane Richardson was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Smith, expressing his disappointment at not playing in the four white-ball matches, said it wasn't a major issue, but he didn't want to risk it becoming one.

It was revealed after Australia's win in the third Test in Lahore, which earned them a rare 1-0 win in Pakistan, that Smith had experienced some discomfort during the three-match series.

With a packed international schedule over the next 18 months, it was felt important that a complete recovery was made the priority for the man who reached 8000 Test runs in fewer innings than anyone in the history of the game during the Lahore Test.

"It's disappointing to miss these matches against Pakistan but after chatting with the medical staff, I can see the need to take a break at this time," said Smith.

"I do not regard this as a major issue but by staying on top of things now, we can ensure that it doesn't become something more significant further down the line."

Cricket Australia's Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine, Alex Kountouris, said: "Steve has been experiencing some minor discomfort in his left elbow during the latter stages of the Test series in Pakistan.

"Given he had an injury with the same elbow last year, we felt it important to manage this proactively.

"Withdrawing him from the white ball matches means Steve will have the necessary time to rehabilitate his elbow to ensure his continuing availability and performance for Australia."

Chair of Selectors George Bailey added: "With the significant amount of cricket to come over the next 18 months, and the fact he has had an issue with the same elbow previously, it is appropriate for Steve to return home at the end of the Test series in Pakistan.

"We have opted not to name a replacement batter as we feel we have options within the existing squad, and Steve's absence offers up additional opportunities to players within the group.

"We are excited because, with a T20 World Cup later this year and a 50-over Cricket World Cup in Asia next year, these four matches against a quality Pakistan team are a great chance for players to stake their claims for places in those tournaments.

"We have decided to include Mitchell Swepson in the white ball squad because it will offer us additional options in the bowling department on surfaces that may well assist spinners.

"Mitchell was part of our Twenty20 International squads in both the West Indies and Bangladesh last year, as well as at the T20 World Cup, and having been in Pakistan for the past month he is familiar with conditions.

"We know if called upon he will do an excellent job."

Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

Pakistan ODI and T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)

Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

March 29: First ODI, Lahore

March 31: Second ODI, Lahore

April 2: Third ODI, Lahore

April 5: Only T20I, Lahore

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports