Steve Smith provides injury update
Batter Steve Smith with a heavily-taped right little finger as Usman Khawaja looks on. Photo: AFP
Australia batter Steve Smith has broken his silence following the finger injury he sustained during the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord's.
The veteran cricketer offered insights into his recovery timeline and prospects for a return to international action.
Smith was taken to the hospital on day three of Australia's five-wicket loss to South Africa after suffering a compound dislocation of his right little finger while fielding in the slip cordon.
The 36-year-old sustained the injury attempting to catch South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who was on just two at the time.
Fortunately for Smith, the injury did not require surgery.
"I will be in a splint for eight weeks now and I may be able to play with it in a couple of weeks," Smith revealed after Australia's five-wicket loss to the Proteas at Lord's.
"It will depend on my functionality and what I am able to do, so it was probably the best result I could have hoped for."
Despite the dropped catch, Bavuma went on to score 66 and anchor a crucial match-winning partnership with Aiden Markram.
Smith explained the circumstances of the incident, noting the challenges posed by the Lord's pitch.
"I was standing pretty close with the helmet on and as we saw throughout the game a lot of nicks went short of first and second slip," Smith said.
"The plan was to stand pretty close and I lost sight of it with the angle that Mitchell Starc was bowling and it kind of went inside Bavuma's hip and I didn't quite see it until really late and it kind of dipped on me a little bit late too as well.
"It was tricky, it didn't go in my hand very well and fortunately there is no break there and it just split the skin and dislocated it which made me feel pretty ill at that stage."
The former captain's latest setback adds to a series of dramatic moments he has experienced at Lord's, including the infamous bouncer from Jofra Archer during the 2019 Ashes.
"I have a love/hate relationship with this place now," Smith stated.
"I have had some good memories here and some not so good ones as well.
"Getting hit in the head by Jofra (Archer) in 2019 and now having my digit knocked off out here yesterday as well.
"But it's a wonderful place to play cricket and I have enjoyed it here and it was a real good game of cricket again."
Australia's medical staff will continue to monitor Smith's recovery, with hopes he could still feature in the upcoming three-Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Head says new-look Australia can cope without Smith, Labuschagne
SYDNEY: Travis Head said Monday Australia were experienced enough to cope as they prepare for their first Test without Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne since 2018. An out-of-form Labuschagne has been dropped for the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados this week, while fellow batting stalwart Smith is nursing an injured finger. Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis, who have only played two Tests each, compared to the combined 175 of Smith and Labuschagne, replace them. But Head said he was not concerned. 'They (Smith and Labuschagne) are still around the squad, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build-up,' he told reporters in the West Indies. 'Getting into the game will be a little bit of a new look, but it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test match cricket.' Not since the Boxing Day Test against India in 2018 – when Smith was serving a year-long ban for ball-tampering – have Australia fielded a Test team without either him or Labuschagne. Australia in a good Head-space despite shaky Champions Trophy buildup Labuschagne has played 53 consecutive Tests, according to Cricket Australia, while Smith's streak stood at 51. Konstas is expected to open at Kensington Oval with Usman Khawaja – a role Labuschagne filled in the recent World Test Championship final – with Inglis coming in anywhere from three to six. Head, who usually bats at number five, said the team were prepared for any scenario. 'As a batter, you're planning for anything at the moment and then once we get a look at the lay of the land, we'll come up with a plan,' he said. 'This is a very experienced team. 'We take a couple of guys out, but I find it a very mature and experienced group that if conditions moved in-game, and we needed to win a game of cricket, I think anyone's (able) to move around.' Australia play three Tests against the West Indies with the first beginning in Barbados on Wednesday.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Former skipper Paine appointed Australia ‘A' coach
SYDNEY: Former captain Tim Paine has been appointed coach of the Australia 'A' team for this season with the country approaching a transition to a new generation of players as a handful of test stalwarts near retirement. Paine has worked in the media along with occasional roles with the Australia women's team and 'A' programme since hanging up his bat in 2023 but will now give up his radio show to concentrate on his new job. 'It's time to spread my wings,' Paine told listeners on SEN radio on Friday. 'I've been working with Australia 'A' as an assistant coach and the opportunity has come up for me to be the head coach. I feel like it's a hard balancing act to pursue a coaching career and talk in the media. 'The Australia 'A' programme is very exciting, there's a lot of young talent to work with. It's something I really enjoy doing. I'm very lucky and I'm really looking forward to the next part of my journey.' Australia could lose as many as half a dozen test regulars to retirement after this year's Ashes series with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja all in their mid to late 30s. Australia drop struggling Labuschagne for first West Indies Test Cricket Australia said Paine would continue to help out with the women's team as well as with his coaching role at the Adelaide Strikers Big Bash League team. Paine took over as test captain in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering affair in 2018 and led Australia to the retention of the Ashes in England in 2019, only to resign before the 2021-22 series after a sexting scandal.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Australia drop struggling Labuschagne for first West Indies Test
SYDNEY: Australia on Friday dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the opening match of their three-Test tour of the West Indies after a poor run of form while Steve Smith is out injured. Teenager Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis come into the starting XI for the opening match in Barbados starting on Wednesday. Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week but managed scores of only 17 and 22 on a challenging Lord's pitch. His last hundred for Australia in Test matches was in July 2023, against England at Manchester. Since then, Labuschagne has averaged 24.7 with the bat, in 16 matches. 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,' chair of selectors George Bailey said. 'He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects. 'We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.' Smith injured his finger while fielding in the slips at Lord's. He left the field and did not return, watching South Africa's winning run chase from the pavilion. Australia coach McDonald backs stuttering Labuschagne 'Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that,' Bailey said. The 19-year-old Konstas will earn his third cap for Australia, and his first since January. He made a blistering debut against India in December, blasting 60 from just 65 balls opening the batting and playing a number of audacious scoop shots against Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas managed only 53 runs in his next three innings, but the teenager's raw talent has selectors excited. Inglis will also make his third appearance in Test cricket, having made 102 on debut against Sri Lanka in January. Bailey said the batting order and final team would be determined closer to the first Test.
