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McGrath Slams Green's Selection After Australia's T20 WC Debacle

Former Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath has sharply criticized the selection of all-rounder Cameron Green over Steve Smith in Australia's T20 World Cup squad. McGrath's comments come after Australia suffered a shocking early exit in the group stage, with Green contributing little with bat or ball. The 2021 champions lost key matches to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, leading McGrath to state the team's formidable aura has disappeared. Former star Jason Gillespie also questioned the faith shown in Green and teammate Cooper Connolly following their poor tournament performances.

Key Points: McGrath Questions Cameron Green's T20 World Cup Spot

  • McGrath questions Green's selection
  • Green's poor batting performance
  • Australia's shock group-stage exit
  • Team's lost aura, says McGrath
2 min read

'If he's not bowling, can't see how he justifies his spot': McGrath questions Green's selection after Australia's T20 WC exit

Glenn McGrath criticizes Cameron Green's selection over Steve Smith after Australia's early T20 World Cup 2026 exit. Analysis inside.

"If he's not bowling, I just can't see how he justifies a spot in that side. - Glenn McGrath"

New Delhi, Feb 18

Former Australian great Glenn McGrath has raised questions about all-rounder Cameron Green's selection over Steve Smith in the squad after Australia suffered an embarrassing exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 in the group stage.

Green was preferred on the side due to his all-around abilities, but he failed with the bat as he scored just 24 runs in three matches. Green hit 21 runs in the first match but in the two biggest games was dismissed for a duck and three. He has bowled only seven deliveries in Australia's three matches so far, which raised questions about his selection.

", 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 by the Sunday Morning Herald.

Australia came into the tournament as the favourites, but injury problems before the start of the tournament and poor performance in the group stage matches led to their early exit. After winning the first match against Ireland, the 2021 champions lost back-to-back matches against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and the former champions ultimately missed out on a place after Zimbabwe picked up key points in their washout against Ireland.

Commenting on the early exit, McGrath said that the aura of the Australian team has gone, and the result is not surprising at all. "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.

Former Australian star Jason Gillespie also questioned Green and Cooper Connolly's selection in the team after a poor stint in the World Cup.

"Cooper Connolly, and I think to a lesser extent Cameron Green, they're just not repaying the absolute faith that has been given," he said.

Australia will play their last match in the T20 World Cup on Friday when they face Oman at the Pallekele International Stadium in Sri Lanka.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Interesting to see this from an Indian fan's perspective. We value all-rounders so highly (like Hardik or Jadeja). If they aren't contributing with both skills, the balance of the whole team is off. Australia's loss shows how crucial a defined role is in T20.
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Ananya R
Feel a bit for Green, pressure can be immense in a World Cup. But McGrath is a legend, his analysis is always sharp. The "aura" point is so true! Teams aren't scared of Australia anymore, just like how teams now believe they can beat India on any day. Cricket has become so competitive! 🏏
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Vikram M
As an Indian cricket fan, I have to respectfully disagree with the "aura" comment. A team's reputation is built over years. One bad tournament doesn't erase Australia's dominance. But the selection logic is baffling. Smith for Green was a straight swap on batting, and they chose wrong.
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Karthik V
This is what happens when you overthink. You have Steve Smith, a proven big-match player, sitting out for an all-rounder who isn't bowling. Basic cricket sense was missing. Hope our think tank in India is taking notes before our next squad selection.
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Michael C
The group stage exit is a shocker, but not entirely surprising. The injury to Starc was a huge blow. Still, failing to beat Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka? That's on the players and the team management. The selection debate will rage on, but the performance on the field was simply not good enough.

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