Australia’s chief selector George Bailey stated that key players Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Steven Smith are still in the running for T20 internationals, even though they were not selected for the Bangladesh tour. In addition to them, senior bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have also been left out of the 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in June, as the focus is on keeping them ready for the Test season starting in August 2026.
The exclusion of Maxwell and Stoinis came as a surprise since both have been regulars in Australia’s T20I lineup and participated in the recent T20 World Cup 2026. Smith, meanwhile, last played a T20I in February 2024 and was only added to the T20 World Cup 2026 as an injury substitute.
Bailey commented on the situation, clarifying that the players were not dropped but instead new options were being explored due to the team’s lackluster performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, where they were eliminated in the initial stages.
“It’s not the end of the road. I wouldn’t say they’re dropped, but I understand they’re not in the squad. Given our current situation after the World Cup, it’s a good opportunity to look at different players. We always expect to win, and those players are expected to perform,” Bailey said, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
“This is an important time for the T20 group to develop players in various roles. However, this may not be the last we see of those three,” he added.
Maxwell has hit only one half-century in his last 20 T20 innings and will be 40 by the next T20 World Cup in 2028. Stoinis remains a sought-after player in T20 leagues worldwide.
Aaron Hardie returns to T20Is
On a different note, Smith has shown interest in participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, having recently scored 380 runs in the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026) for Multan Sultans, with an average of 34.54 and a strike rate of 161.7. He will play in Major League Cricket (MLC) in June.
Meanwhile, the absence of the senior trio has paved the way for all-rounder Aaron Hardie to return to the T20I squad after impressive performances in the PSL 2026 for Peshawar Zalmi. Spin-bowling all-rounder Joel Davies will also make his International debut after excelling in the BBL with Sydney Sixers.