Steve Smith has been unexpectedly added to Australia's T20 World Cup squad as cover for injured captain Mitchell Marsh. This decision comes as a surprise, considering Smith was initially left out of the squad despite his impressive form, particularly in the Big Bash League.

Marsh sustained a testicular injury after being struck in the groin during a training session. Scans revealed internal testicular bleeding, which will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. Cricket Australia stated that Marsh is experiencing pain and discomfort, restricting his movement, and his return to play will depend on symptom resolution and medical advice.

With Marsh sidelined, Travis Head is expected to take over captaincy duties.

Smith, who was in Adelaide participating in the LIV Golf pro-am event, is now en route to Sri Lanka, where Australia will play their group stage matches. Australia is scheduled to face Zimbabwe on February 13, Sri Lanka on February 16, and Oman on February 20.

The initial exclusion of Smith from the T20 World Cup squad raised eyebrows among cricket fans and experts alike. Despite being a seasoned campaigner and demonstrating good form, especially in the Big Bash, he was overlooked. This led to widespread calls for his inclusion, which have now been answered due to the unfortunate injury to Marsh.

Mark Waugh of Fox Cricket, reacted to the news of Smith's inclusion with a touch of humor, stating, "Better late than never".

Smith's inclusion provides Australia with a valuable and experienced player who can contribute in various roles. His ability to stabilize the innings, rotate the strike, and play match-winning knocks makes him a great asset to the team. While he may not be a like-for-like replacement for Marsh's aggressive batting style, his presence adds depth and flexibility to the batting order.

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign has been plagued with injury concerns. Already missing key fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the injury to Marsh is a further blow to their chances. The inclusion of Smith will help to mitigate the impact of these absences.