Steve Smith’s World Cup participation: The Australian cricket board is hopeful of the cricketer’s timely recovery for the World Cup.
Just a day after the update regarding the uncertainty of banned Australia batsman Steve Smith’s participation in the ICC Cricket World cup 2019, Cricket Australia seem hopeful of the 29-year old cricketer taking part in the world event.
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While Smith’s ban was set to be removed in March, he succumbed to an elbow injury during his stint in the Bangladesh Premier League, which has further delayed his comeback. Currently wearing a brace, there is no exact time duration by when Smith will return to cricket.
“Return-to-play time-frames will be clearer once the brace has been removed near the end of February. We are working with Steve to ensure he is ready to return to play as soon as practical,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.
On the other hand, Smith’s manager Warren Craig of Turning Point Management, has opined that Smith is still using the brace and that his elbow surgery had ‘gone very well’. Craig also mentioned that there won’t be clarity on Smith’s recovery until the brace doesn’t come off.
“Until the brace comes off we don’t know for sure but all current opinion is that he’ll then have about three and a half weeks [before being ready to play]. The intent is that he will play in the IPL and then the World Cup and then the Ashes,” Craig was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au.
The Australian team management would be hoping for Smith to be fit for the Pakistan series for playing him directly in the World Cup (after a long halt) would involve a lot of risk. While the dates for the tour of Pakistan have not been confirmed as yet, it will be another point of concern for the Australians.
