Australia legend Mark Waugh has delivered a damning verdict on the Baggy Greens' T20 World Cup campaign, condemning the squad selection as 'doomed from the get-go' following their eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka. Waugh, speaking on SEN radio, branded the non-selection of Steve Smith from the original squad an 'insult' after the 36-year-old averaged just under 60 for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League prior to the tournament. The loss means Australia's fate now hinges entirely on Ireland's match against Zimbabwe; if 12th-ranked Ireland lose, Australia will be eliminated in a group-stage exit that Waugh deemed unthinkable at the tournament's start.

Smith, Australia's sixth-highest all-time run scorer across formats, had been Australia's most in-form player in the BBL, averaging 59.6. His absence from the initial squad and subsequent late inclusion without a game played left Waugh questioning the selectors' judgment: 'They've got the selections completely wrong... it's an insult to Steve Smith.'