Michael Clarke slams Australia selectors for 'embarrassing' Steve Smith selection for South Africa T20Is

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Former Australia captain Steve Smith has slammed the selectors for picking Steve Smith for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. The three-match series will begin from August 30 and will be followed by a 5-match ODI series before the Australians fly to India.

Clarke has called the decision of the selectors embarrassing as Smith is very unlikely to feature in the T20 World Cup 2024. He also pointed that, the star batter was part of the Australia squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 but was allowed to play just one match.

“I don’t understand (Smith’s selection), that to me is embarrassing for the selectors. They had him in the World Cup squad last year, and he couldn’t make the XI. He doesn’t get a game, we go terribly in the World Cup,” Clarke said while speaking to Sky Sports Radio Big Sports Breakfast.

“Selections over the past 15 months have been absolutely confusing. Smith not playing in that World Cup, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There’s just no accountability. It’s just swept under the carpet. I feel like I’m just watching a different game.

“I don’t know what they’re thinking with Smithy in the T20s. I don’t think he’s playing any other T20 cricket around the world. He’s not getting a gig in the IPL, didn’t get picked up there. He must still want to play though,” Clarke added.

Smith, who is a modern day great when it comes to Test cricket, hasn't found a lot of success in the shortest format of the game. He has played a total of 63 T20I matches and scored 1008 runs at an average of 25.20 and a strike rate of 125.21. He has hit just four fifties in the format for Australia.

Australia Squad for T20I series vs South Africa

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.