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Xtra Time Web Desk: Star Australia quartet Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell has pulled themselves out of the forthcoming tours to West Indies and Bangladesh. The National Selection Panel on Wednesday named an 18-player squad for the Australian men’s white ball tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh.

Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams and Marcus Stoinis too have requested Cricket Australia not to consider them for the tour for various reasons while Steve Smith was unavailable for selection due to an elbow injury.

Commenting on the unavailability of so many players National SelectoTrevor Hohns said, “We are naturally disappointed not to have all players available for the Australian team at this time however the NSP respects the decisions of those who have opted out of this tour.”

“Steve Smith was unavailable for selection due to an elbow injury and will now be able to use this time to fully recover ahead of the World Cup and home Ashes Series. Steve was disappointed to miss the tour with the decision made on medical grounds.

“International tours in the time of Covid-19 undoubtedly present many additional challenges for athletes. They also present opportunities for others and, in this case, the chance to push for selection in the Australian men’s T20 World Cup squad later this year and beyond.

The squad is due to depart for the West Indies on June 28 for five T20 Internationals at Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia followed by three One-Day Internationals at Kensington Stadium in Barbados. If confirmed, the team will then play five T20 Internationals against Bangladesh in Bangladesh.

Australian squad for tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh:

Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)

Ashton Agar (Western Australia)

Wes Agar (South Australia)

Jason Behrendorff (Western Australia)

Alex Carey (South Australia)

Dan Christian (New South Wales)

Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)

Moises Henriques (New South Wales)

Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)

Riley Meredith (Tasmania)

Ben McDermott (Tasmania)

Josh Philippe (Western Australia)

Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)

Mitchell Swepson (Queensland)

Ashton Turner (Western Australia)

Andrew Tye (Western Australia)

Matthew Wade (Tasmania)

Adam Zampa (New South Wales)