Steve Smith’s elbow surgery puts him in doubt for Australia’s final ODI series before the World Cup.

Smith underwent elbow surgery on Monday, and according to the Sunday Morning Herald, it was successful.

The recovery period, however, will require him to wear a brace for minimum of six weeks, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation program starting in late February.

His return date remains unknown and there is serious doubt whether he will be back in action by the time his one-year ban ends on 29 March.

The recovery period could rule him out for the ODI series against Pakistan, which will be Australia’s final series before the World Cup.

The selectors will have to make a tough decision on his selection for the World Cup, seeing that the former skipper would not have played cricket at any level by the time selections are made in April.

His selection then would have to be based purely on his record and not on form. 

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