The Pune Warriors batsman should have recovered from his back injury by the start of next month.
Australian all-rounder Steve Smith has been sent home from his current IPL campaign with Pune Warriors India with a back injury, but is expected to be fit to play for Australia in June.
Smith will not play again for his franchise, although they are already ruled out of the play-offs after losing seven successive matches, yet Cricket Australia (CA) are confident he will be ready to play for Australia A on June 7.
“CA expects Smith to be fully fit for his upcoming commitments with Australia A, where he will be vice-captain,” the organisation said on their website.
Th all-rounder will assist Brad Haddin in the side’s three matches against Scotland, Ireland and Gloucestershire next month, as the Australians prepare for a busy summer of cricket that includes the Champions Trophy and Ashes series.
As a Test player the 23-year-old has been consistently overlooked by CA, despite coming away from the 4-0 whitewash in India with the second best batting average behind captain Michael Clarke.
Smith made his international debut in 2010 in a Twenty20 with Pakistan, before going on to play in an ODI series with West Indies later in the year.
However, the all-rounder has struggled to make much impression in the top order in both formats averaging less than 22.
With the ball Smith has fared a little better taking 39 wickets in 53 short-over matches and will have the chance to further impress the Australia selectors if he can recover in time for June’s fixtures.
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