He suffered the blow while throwing a ball from the outfield during the rain-interrupted game between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, which ended without a result.
Australia have suffered a major setback as their stand-in captain for the Sri Lanka tour, Steve Smith, suffered an elbow injury. He suffered the blow while throwing a ball from the outfield during the rain-interrupted game between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, which ended without a result.
Smith will consult a specialist in Sydney on Tuesday, after which his joining date will be confirmed to the rest of his team. Some members of the Australian team arrived in Dubai today where they will practice at the ICC Academy to get used to the conditions on offer in Sri Lanka.
“He is preparing to join the testing team in Dubai later this week after receiving further input from specialists. “Further updates will be shared as they become known,” an Australian news release said.
Smith’s availability will be vital for Australia because he is not only their captain but also plays well and is among the best spin players in the world. Sri Lanka is not an easy place for non-Asian teams, and if Smith is left out, Australia could find it difficult to compete against a strong team.
What are Steve Smith’s Test numbers in Asia?
Steve Smith boasts a superior record in all Asian conditions and is probably the best non-Asian spin player of this generation. In 40 innings in Asia, he has 1722 runs at an average of 47.83, including eight fifties.
Additionally, he has 398 runs at an average of 49.75 in nine Test innings in Sri Lanka, comprising fifty-two centuries. These numbers show how vital he is to Australia at No. 4, especially as most of the other batsmen have been hot and cold of late.
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There is also the possibility that Smith will miss the preparatory camp in Dubai and directly join the Australian team in Sri Lanka; A call will be made after consulting with a specialist. Smith is captain due to Pat Cummins’ unavailability for this tour.
Cummins is nursing ankle pain and is expecting her second child, which caused her absence. It will be Smith’s first season as Test captain since 2023.
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