(Reuters) – Australia captain Steve Smith is to leave the tour of Sri Lanka and return home to rest ahead of their limited-overs series in South Africa before they host the Proteas at the start of a heavy home schedule.
Vice-captain David Warner will lead the side for the remaining three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka.
“It’s obviously going to be a big summer with South Africa and then six tests at home then limited-overs matches against New Zealand,” Smith told reporters after his side lost the second one-day international against Sri Lanka by 82 runs in Colombo yesterday.
“It was talked about that they give me a little break at some point. We had a few discussions, myself, (coach) Darren (Lehmann) and Rod (Marsh), who also consulted with the other selectors.
“It took a bit of convincing to get me over the line because I hate missing cricket but in the long run a little bit of a break will do me the world of good.”
Australia were hammered 3-0 in the test series, finding it difficult on the turning pitches in Sri Lanka, but achieved a three-wicket win in the first one-day international in Colombo.
