Steyn mocks Smith’s departure decision
The decision to send Australia captain Steve Smith home from Sri Lanka with the tour still ongoing has prompted some baffled, and mocking, responses from former and current players.
Smith was sent home with the ODI series still on the go, ostensibly to rest ahead of the tour to South Africa, which is more than a month away. Former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene found this baffling.
He tweeted: "Surprised to see smith going back home to prepare for SA tour when this one is not finished. Would any other @CricketAus captain done this?"
Then on Friday, South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn took the mickey on Twitter as well. Team mate Farhaan Behardien made an innocent observation that 'Waking up in your own bed… #priceless' to which Steyn responded: 'Steve Smith agrees… (laughing emoticon)'.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann responded to Jayawardene's comment, and also Shane Warne's criticism of the 'bits and pieces' team selection, by saying: "We respect our former captains and former greats who have an opinion.
"There's no dramas, they're entitled to that. But we think it's the best thing for Steven to get him right and ready to go.
"We planned that for a long time and he (Smith) took some convincing, there's no doubt about that.
"But as a coach and a selection panel we're making sure he's fresh and ready to go each and every time he plays for Australia.
"We just wanted to make sure that he's fresh and ready to go for South Africa and then the big summer ahead."
Australia still have three ODIs and two T20s to get through before returning home. They lost the Test series three nil and are level at one all in the ODIs.
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.