Twitter Reactions: Cricketing universe surprised at CA’s decision to rest Steve Smith

Cricket Australia surprised most people with the decision to rest skipper Steve Smith for the remainder of the 3 One-Day International of the ongoing series and the upcoming 2-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka.

CA quoted Smith on Twitter saying, “I hate missing cricket, but in the long run it will do me a world of good.”

“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 said.

He also added that he had spoken to the selectors about the break during the Test series and with non-stop assignments slated in the next few months he wanted a break. “We spoke about it at the start of the Test series,” Smith said.

Also read – Shane Warne unhappy with Australia’s Test and ODI teams

“There is the South Africa series next, and a big summer with six Test matches and a few one-dayers against New Zealand in between, before we go to India. So it was talked about – to try and give me a little break at some point. We had a few discussions – myself, Darren Lehmann and Rod Marsh, who also consulted with the other selectors. It took a bit of convincing to get me over the line.”

Talking about the Indian Premier League and what he has gained out of it Smith said, “For me, I’ve got a lot of time for the IPL,” he said. “I think it’s been a great learning curve for me. I think I’ve learned a lot about the way I play, particularly white-ball cricket, from the IPL. Playing a lot of back-to-back games I think you learn a lot about yourself as a player. I’ve certainly got a lot of time for the IPL in that respect. But captaining Australia is a lot of hard work and takes a lot of time. At some point, maybe it could give. For now, I want to continue trying to play everything that I can.”

In his absence explosive opener, David Warner has been appointed as the skipper of the team for the remainder of the tour. Here is how Twitter reacted to Steve Smith’s decision to opt out of the ongoing series.

Also read – David Warner to captain Australia in the T20I series against Sri Lanka

An Australian Cricket captain in need of a rest .. !!!!!!!!! Something I never thought I would hear ………

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 25, 2016

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

Or come home before the ODI series started and give @davidwarner31 a better chance at Captaincy. #headscratching https://t.co/Iyd8uWo9mc

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) 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

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

How pathetically weak is Steve Smith? I hope he's still captain in 18 months so we can see off another. #tired ?

— Matt Francis (@mattrfrancis) August 25, 2016

Steve Smith leaving tour mid series – for a rest ??? bet that's gone down well in Australia! #AUSvSL

— Greg Sherrington (@towzer31) August 25, 2016

Steve Smith leaves the ODI series mid-way to "prepare for the summer." ? #SLvsAUS

— Shivam (@shivilrous) August 25, 2016

Captain Steve Smith of Australia.
Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic.
Only one of them jumped out of a sinking ship#නැවගිලුනත්බෑන්ඩ්චූන්

— DT (@cricketPissek) August 25, 2016

After a whitewash in the Test series and an ODI loss yesterday, Steve Smith runs back to Australia in the middle of the tour. Failures,man!

— Siddharth (@sidd_june) August 25, 2016

CA's decision to call back Steve Smith frm an ongoing series baffles me. Why play a couple of matches & leave? skip entire series na#SLvAUS

— Chinmay Jawalekar? (@CricfreakTweets) August 25, 2016

And Steve Smith defends the decision to return home during Australia's one day series against Sri Lanka.
Those stories Nine Afternoon News.

— Julie Snook (@JulieSnook) August 25, 2016

What about Steve Smith heading home early cause he's tired and needs a rest … what a joke. Do my job and hours you sook #desertyourteam

— Wayne (@saintbenny63) August 25, 2016

Can't believe Steve Smith came home at 1 all in an ODI series. Does that mean the series isn't important?

— Mitchell Kermath (@mitchykerm) August 25, 2016

Steve Smith heading to Home. Preparation for NZ tour. Warner to lead. Seems CA shots fired. ?? #SLvAUS

— Eиgя.Bαℓu (@BaluMahe) August 25, 2016

Michael Clarke says it's ok for Steve Smith to leave a tour if it's for a good reason, like breaking up with your girlfriend. #AUSvSL

— MW (@MWChatShow) August 25, 2016

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