Michael Clarke, others question CA’s decision to call back Steve Smith from ongoing ODI series in Sri Lanka

The baffling decision attracted reactions from cricket fraternity, with former Australian skipper Clarke too joining the tirade. He, along with others, tweeted his disbelief at the news of Smith’s rest.

The tours to Indian subcontinent have never been a bed of roses for the visiting teams, especially Australia. On their current tour of Sri Lanka, the story was the same as they were blanked in the Test series by a margin of 3-0 by the hosts. When ODIs began, things looked to change as Australia won the first game. But with Sri Lanka winning the second game by a thumping margin, the familiar subcontinental fears resurfaced. ALSO READ: How easy is it being Steve Smith?

But the biggest setback came minutes after the loss, as Cricket Australia (CA) announced that the skipper Steve Smith will return back to the country in order to rest and prepare for the South Africa series, which actually begins in two months’ time. This baffling decision attracted reactions from cricket fraternity, with former Australian skipper Michael Clarke too joining the tirade. He tweeted his disbelief at the news of Smith’s rest, which read as:

In the same breath if Smithy needed a break then he should have flown home after the Test matches not 2x ODIs in. https://t.co/i0WEWqOVe7

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) August 25, 2016

I would of liked to have seen the captain play until the series was won and then have a rest. https://t.co/i0WEWqOVe7

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) August 25, 2016

Clarke’s comments came as a reaction to former team-mate Michael Slater’s tweet, which echoed similar sentiments:

I don’t understand Steve Smith returning early from ODI series. The captain should be there to the end! @Iheals @BigSportsBrekky #AUSvSL

— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) August 24, 2016

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena also reacted by expressing surprise over the decision. 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?

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 25, 2016

His tweet found support from former Australian cricketer and a current commentator/expert Dean Jones, who wrote:

Valid point! https://t.co/PTM5rXelQG

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) August 25, 2016

Indian cricketer-turned-cricket analyst Aakash Chopra also tweeted on the matter, asking how’s Mitchell Starc or David Warner’s work-load any lesser than that of Smith’s?

Aus model intrigues me…in Jan they sent half their team to NZ during #IndvAus T20. Now, Smith goes home to ‘rest’ in the middle of #SLvAUS

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 25, 2016

How’s the workload less on Warner? Or Starc? https://t.co/NyqqUYXdgR

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 25, 2016

Smith, who himself said he hates missing cricket, will miss the remaining three ODIs and two T20Is, with vice-captain Warner taking over the leadership of the side for the first time. “I hate missing cricket, but in the long run it will do me a world of good,” Smith said following his side’s 82-run loss on Wednesday that saw the hosts level the series at 1-1. “The schedule is very busy. I still want to take on the role in all three formats and do it to the best of my ability,” he concluded.