SYDNEY: Steven Smith will captain Australia in Friday’s One-day International against England, with opener David Warner and paceman Mitchell Johnson missing the game, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.
Smith was called in to skipper the team after captain George Bailey was slapped with a one-match suspension over the team’s slow over-rate during their four-wicket win against India in the tri-series match on Sunday.
Cricket Australia said Smith, fresh from leading Australia in the Test series against India as regular skipper Michael Clarke recovers from a hamstring injury, will be the nation’s 22nd ODI captain.
“Steven’s appointment was a straightforward decision given the excellent impression he made in charge of the side during the Commonwealth Bank Test series when he stepped in for the injured Michael Clarke,” national selector Rodney Marsh said.