Steve Smith’s injury scare on the eve of the New Year’s Test in Sydney may cause him to miss the third and final Test against South Africa. Playing on the SCG practise nets has proved especially difficult, and on Tuesday, coach Andrew McDonald’s throwdown hit Smith in the hand.
Smith screamed in agony and tossed his gloves on the ground before inspecting his finger. While he continued to bat, it was evident that he was in discomfort since he regularly groaned. Despite the poor preparation, Smith should be able to compete in the summer’s last Test. It’s not the first time a player has been wounded by an Australian coach’s throwdown.
Last year, before the women’s ODI World Cup, standout batter Beth Mooney had her jaw fractured by an erroneous throwdown from Matthew Mott. Already, Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green have sustained significant hand injuries during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. As a consequence, the hosts will be compelled to make two changes to their starting lineup.
According to News Corp, Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar are expected to replace Green and Starc in the Test lineup if selectors opt for a roster of six batters, four bowlers, and no all-rounders. It will be Agar’s first Test on home soil, while Renshaw will wear the baggy green for the first time since 2018.
If Australia choose to bat with two fast bowlers and two spinners at the SCG, Josh Hazlewood, who just recovered from a side injury, might replace Scott Boland in the starting XI. Despite Boland’s outstanding performance, Australia looks to be backing incumbent Hazlewood to partner captain Pat Cummins. When asked which player is most likely to play, Skipper Cummins responded diplomatically.
“We’ll see what happens tomorrow. He’s a gentleman (Hazlewood). He’s played about 50 games. We are as sad as everybody that he has not played as many Test matches in recent years. He didn’t take a lot of wickets, but he was our best bowler in Perth, and he was brilliant. “I’m confident we’ll go back to the fantastic Mr Consistent Joshy if he gets his opportunity,” Cummins was quoted as saying by news.com.au.
