Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are among several Australian players likely to miss the upcoming ODI tour of Pakistan because of a scheduling clash with the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Smith replaces pacer Josh Hazlewood, with Australia having initially held off on naming a substitute after Hazlewood was sidelined earlier this month with a calf injury.
“We'll certainly see him come back into contention over the next few games," he told reporters.
Australia’s preparations for the T20 World Cup have been hit by further uncertainty, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood set to miss the early part of the tournament as he continues rehabilitation from an Achilles issue in Sydney.
He was rested after the Adelaide Test with the Ashes secured, with a view to rebuilding for the T20 World Cup.
Bailey revealed that Cummins, who was rested for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, will not feature in Australia’s first World Cup game.
Cummins has been named in Australia’s provisional World Cup squad alongside fellow quick Josh Hazlewood and big-hitting batter Tim David, with all three included subject to proving their fitness.
Wood will be missing the next three games in the ICC World Test Championship series due to a recurring left-knee injury.
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. “It is a low-grade issue, and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”
Both fast bowlers trained at Cricket Central in Sydney, where New South Wales were hosting Tasmania in their ongoing Sheffield Shield fixture.
