T20 World Cup 2026: Glenn McGrath questions Cameron Green’s selection over Steve Smith after Australia’s early exit

Australia’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked fierce criticism, with legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath openly questioning the team’s selection decisions. The 2021 champions crashed out in the group stage after consecutive defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, marking one of the most sobering campaigns in recent Australian cricket history.

At the centre of the storm is the decision to back all-rounder Cameron Green over veteran batter Steve Smith – a gamble that, in hindsight, has drawn sharp scrutiny.

Glenn McGrath’s blunt assessment of Cameron Green’s role

McGrath did not hold back in his evaluation of Green’s performance at the T20 World Cup 2026. The former pace spearhead questioned how the all-rounder justified his place in the XI, particularly given his minimal impact with both bat and ball.

“Then what the selectors are saying is that he’s a better player than Steve Smith. If he’s not bowling, I just can’t see how he justifies a spot in that side,” McGrath was quoted as saying to Sydney Morning Herald.

Green managed just 24 runs across three group matches. He scored 21 against Ireland but followed that up with a duck and three runs in the crucial losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Even more concerning was his limited contribution with the ball – just seven deliveries in the entire tournament.

For a player selected primarily for his all-round value, the lack of bowling involvement raised serious questions. In conditions that demanded adaptability and tactical clarity, Australia’s strategy appeared muddled.

The Cameron Green vs Steve Smith debate

The selection of Green over Smith was always going to attract attention, but Australia’s early elimination has amplified the criticism.

Green entered the tournament with optimism after showing flexibility in the T20I series against Pakistan, where he batted in multiple positions and bowled 5 overs. publicly expressed readiness to plug holes in the batting lineup. However, concerns about his form predated the World Cup. During the Ashes series against England, Green scored 171 runs at an average of 24.43 and claimed only four wickets from 62 overs. His struggles against spin – a critical skill on Sri Lankan pitches – became increasingly evident as the marquee event unfolded.

In contrast, Smith was in resurgent form in the Big Bash League (BBL). Opening for Sydney Sixers, he averaged 59.80 at a blistering strike rate of 167.97. His 42-ball century, the joint second-fastest in BBL history, showcased a reinvention of his T20 game that many believed warranted selection.

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Given the spin-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka, Smith’s experience and ability to anchor innings appeared tailor-made for the conditions. His omission, therefore, puzzled McGrath.

Beyond individual selections, the Aussie legend expressed broader concerns about his nations’ standing in world cricket.

“We said at the start of this World Cup that we were concerned about Australia. All of a sudden, the aura of that Australian team is no longer there when other teams play it. Unfortunately, it’s not surprising,” he said.

Australia entered the tournament as one of the favourites but looked out of sync from the outset. Their shocking defeat to Zimbabwe was followed by a eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka, exposing vulnerabilities in both batting depth and tactical execution.

The elimination was confirmed when Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was washed out, awarding the Chevrons a crucial point and knocking Australia out of contention. It was a dramatic and humbling turn of events for a side accustomed to dominating ICC tournaments.

Australia will now face Oman on February 20 at the Pallekele International Stadium in what is effectively a dead rubber. The match offers little more than an opportunity to restore pride and avoid further embarrassment.

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