Steve Smith has been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming limited-overs matches with Pakistan due to a recurrence of a left elbow injury.
The 32-year-old became the fastest batsman to complete 8,000 runs during the final Test in Lahore that Australia won by 115 runs to clinch the series 1-0 on Friday.
The ODI series starts in Lahore on Tuesday.
“It’s disappointing to miss these matches against Pakistan but after chatting with the medical staff I can see the need to take a break at this time,” Smith said in a Cricket Australia release.
“I do not regard this as a major issue but by staying on top of things now, we can ensure that it doesn’t become something more significant further down the line.”
Australia’s selectors named leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson as Smith’s replacement.
The second ODI is on Thursday and the third on Saturday followed by one T20I on 5 April – with all matches in Lahore.
Smith will return home alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and David Warner later on Saturday.
Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa.
© Agence France-Presse
