It's An Ill Wind

GH reports that it has blown Steve Smith some good

Steve Smith is on his way to the T20 World Cup after all, Mitchell Marsh having been scratched from Australia’s game tonight against Ireland ‘after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week’ which has caused him ‘ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement.’

Marsh showed up to give the media some throwdowns yesterday, following the fiasco in Lahore: ‘We take lessons and we move on. We've obviously welcomed some experienced guys back into our group... We were outplayed by Pakistan. We've left it there.’ That was manful of him considering that, according to the official communique, ‘scans have confirmed testicular bleeding’ which will require ‘a period of rest and rehabilitation.’ Ugh: I dare say Marsh’s return will be ‘guided by symptom resolution and medical advice.’

“Back? I was never away”

Anyway, with Travis Head about to head out for the toss with Ireland’s Paul Stirling, guess who’s packing? Goodness knows, the great man has probably already packed, fresh from his vintage vein of form in the Big Bash League: though it’s nearly two years from Smith’s last T20I, there’s now potentially even a vacancy for an opener should Marsh’s symptoms persist. Henry will be happy. Smith will, however, be too late for tonight, from which Tim David will also be an absentee as he nurses his still-tight hamstring, while Adam Zampa’s groin has been a problem too. Stay tuned for an intriguing, potentially ticklish game.