Steve Smith Injury Scare Before Pink-Ball Test Against India
Star Australian batter Steve Smith gave his team a brief scare on Tuesday. This was ahead of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India at the Adelaide Oval. During throwdowns in the nets, teammate Marnus Labuschagne hit Smith on the right thumb. The incident raised concerns. Smith stopped batting, in pain, while consulting with Labuschagne, says Wisden.
A member of Australia’s medical staff examined Smith’s thumb. He moved it gingerly at first, but showed no significant discomfort. Smith left the nets briefly. He later returned to bat again, untroubled by the knock.
Smith’s Recent Form and Australia’s Challenges
Smith’s form has been under scrutiny. In the first Test at Perth, he managed just 17 runs across two innings, including a golden duck in the first. Australia lost by 295 runs. The hosts are desperate for a turnaround in Adelaide.
Smith’s stats in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-25) show his struggles:
- Matches: 13
- Innings: 26
- Runs: 755
- Average: 32.82
- Centuries: 1
- Fifties: 4
- Best Score: 110
In 2023, Smith played six Tests. He scored only 230 runs at a poor average of 25.55, with a top score of 91* and one fifty.
Australia’s Injury Concerns Deepen
Australia’s challenges extend beyond Smith’s form. Senior pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test due to a side strain. Scott Boland is expected to replace him in the playing XI. Also, pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett will replace Hazlewood.
All-rounder Beau Webster has been added to the squad. He is a precautionary replacement for Mitchell Marsh, who has declared himself fit for the Adelaide Test.
India’s Momentum and a Historic Adelaide Memory
India heads into the second Test with confidence. They won in Perth by 295 runs, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar bowling and leadership. However, the visitors will fear the ghosts of their 36-run collapse in the 2020 Adelaide pink-ball Test.
The second Test starts on December 6. Both teams want to gain an edge in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Key Teams for the Second Test
Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar.
