T20 World Cup 2022: Is this the end for Steve Smith?

Steve Smith looked to carry drinks in the first two T20I matches against England while Cameron Green got to play in his favour, but Australian ex-cricketer Michael Clarke didn't like this.

"At this stage, Cameron Green's not in the World Cup... that's what has been a little strange," said Michael Clarke.

"They took Steve Smith to Western Australia, flew him to Perth to make him 12th man - that's not right," Clarke said.

Australia played Cameron Green in the XI even when he was not part of the World Cup squad. The move showed that Australia is testing Cameron Green for scenarios if anyone gets injured during the World Cup, but he is most likely to come in. 

Former Aussie captain Michael Clarke was scathing that Cameron Green has been prioritised ahead of Steve Smith, despite not being in the World Cup squad.

"My only concern is they've been giving Cameron Green every opportunity, I don't know why they haven't given Steve Smith that opportunity," said Michael Clarke.

He added, "Steve Smith can open the batting in T20 cricket. He's in the squad, he's a big chance of playing in this World Cup so surely you need him batting, making runs (and) in form," Clarke said.

"My reason always for (including) someone like a Steve Smith in your team is because not all conditions are the same, if we lose two for not many, you've got one of the world's best batsmen coming in."

Will it be the last T20I World Cup for Steve Smith?

With the rise of cricket leagues, Australia has nurtured many strong players for the T20I format. These players have given significant time to this format and are acquainted with the demands.

Tim David and Cameron Green are all in the same line. With all these players coming in, Cricket Australia might only keep Steve Smith reserved for ODI and Test formats. 

The prolific batter has been kept for warming the bench in three of the five matches. And when he got a chance in the third T20I, he could fetch seven runs to remain not out in an abandoned match.

"I think Steve Smith is going to get squeezed out – I love him in the Test and ODI team, but in T20 cricket there's no room for him," Aussie great and Fox Sports commentator Brendon Julian said.

"Tim David has to play, Stoinis must play and Marsh must bat three. Aaron Finch has also now put himself in a position where he can bat 1-4 so he can do Steve Smith's role if required."

Also, next year there is an ODI World Cup in India, and Cricket Australia will be focusing on keeping Steve Smith in the right frame of mind for the format.

But, in this T20I World Cup, Steve Smith is undoubtedly at risk of being just a boundary-side spectator.