New Delhi, Feb. 11 -- Cricket Australia have are flying in former captain Steve Smith as a cover for Mitchell Marsh after the skipper missed out on their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday. The development came in after vice-captain Travis Head walked out for the toss against Ireland at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Smith will join the Australian camp in Colombo as a standby in case Marsh is unavailable for the rest of tourney.

Marsh, who had played just two games against Pakistan in the T20I series, prior to the T20 World Cup, sustained a groin injury during training earlier this week. "Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC men's T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the gro...