Steve Smith's T20 World Cup hopes gather steam as selectors issued major warning over snub

Former Aussie Test bowler Geoff Lawson has warned selectors to either call up Steve Smith for the T20 Cricket World Cup, or risk being spun out of the tournament in Sri Lanka and India. Injuries have ravaged Australia ahead of their opening game against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday, with Josh Hazlewood the latest to be ruled out.

Selectors revealed on Friday that the pace spearhead had been scratched from the World Cup after failing to prove his fitness, having been hampered by a hamstring injury since November. It comes after Test skipper Pat Cummins was also ruled out with a back injury and replaced by Ben Dwarshuis in Australia's squad.

And it's opened the door for Smith to be a late call-up after his shock snub, with selectors saying they'd wait before naming Hazlewood's replacement. "We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time," selector Tony Dodemaide said.

Exciting young quick Mahli Beardman would have been an option after starring for the Perth Scorchers in this year's BBL title triumph. Beardman featured in the recent T20 series defeat to Pakistan as Australia were hammered 3-0 in a worrying sign before the World Cup.

But Beardman reported lower back soreness before the second game and scans back in Perth confirmed the 20-year-old quick would be out for "an extended period". It means the Aussies will rely on Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett and Dwarshuis as their frontline quicks. Sean Abbott is the travelling reserve and is another option.

Ellis and all-rounder Tim David are both battling to return from hamstring issues and unlikely to feature against Ireland though. Adam Zampa has been cleared to play after a recent groin complaint and alongside fellow spinner Matt Kuhnemann will be key to Australia's World Cup hopes on wickets set to favour the slow bowlers.

Steve Smith's World Cup call-up a 'no-brainer' for Australia

It's for that reason why Lawson believes Smith's inclusion is a "no-brainer", considering how badly the Aussies struggled to cope with Pakistan's spinners in the recent T20 series. Smith was superb for the Sydney Sixers in their run to the BBL final and is widely regarded as Australia's best player of spin.

Selectors have consistently said they view Smith as an opener in T20 cricket, with captain Mitch Marsh and Travis Head already in those roles. But Lawson insists they have to find a spot for Smith or risk another humbling at the hands of spin at the World Cup.

"Pakistan had four spinners in those warm-ups as they made Australia look third rate," he wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald. "Australia must learn from those performances, get Smith on the short flight from Sialkot now that he has signed for the Stallions in the Pakistan Super League and change the batting order if that’s what it takes."

Lawson added: "He is a clever problem solver when the spinners attack his pads, able to reverse or lap sweep or use his feet to meet the ball as it bounces then hit straight back over the umpire's hat. Chairman of selectors George Bailey must have lost Smudge’s number because it is a no-brainer that Smith is in the top world team let alone the best green and gold one."

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