Steve Smith has suffered a big setback, with rumours indicating that the Australian veteran will not be selected for the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup.

According to News Corp, Australia’s selectors have looked elsewhere for batting options, with his attempt to rebuild himself as a top-order option falling flat. The 34-year-old will not play in the West Indies and United States, but David Warner is anticipated to be picked to the team despite being dropped by his IPL team, the Delhi Capitals.

Batters anticipated to play in the middle order include Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Tim David, while Matthew Wade, Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar, and Cam Green are also expected to appear. The greatest absence comes at the top of the order, where IPL sensation and Australian youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk has been overlooked by the selectors.

Steve Smith has missed the T20 World Cup, according to sources. IPL prodigy Jake Fraser-McGurk has reportedly missed out on selection.

The 22-year-old has three half-centuries in five games, including a scorching 84 runs off 27 balls in the Capitals’ victory over Mumbai on Saturday.

‘Has there been a player with a greater effect in their first five IPL games than Jake Fraser-McGurk?’ Aaron Finch, a former Australian captain, posted on X. ‘3 scores above 50 and strikes over 200. The kid is a superstar! However, his lack of foreign experience means he does not make the cut this time. Fraser-McGurk has never played a T20 international and only two ODIs, but former Test captain Tim Paine and Australia icon Mark Waugh have pushed for his selection.

However, the selectors will remain faithful to the majority of the group that helped deliver the ODI World Cup last year.