Steve Smith misses South Africa decider as neck problem reshapes Australia's batting
Josh Inglis replaced Smith shortly before the third Test at Newlands after the batter felt discomfort during a match-morning fitness test.
Steve Smith was left out of Australia's decisive third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on 27 October after his neck remained uncomfortable during a match-morning fitness test, Reuters reported. Josh Inglis replaced him shortly before play, forcing a late change to Australia's batting order with the series tied at 1-1.
Smith tested the injury in the nets that morning. At the toss, captain Pat Cummins said Smith was unhappy with how his neck felt, so Australia had to look elsewhere. The decision settled the fitness question that had hung over his place in the decider. NewsJaws previously covered Australia's plan to give Smith a chance to prove his fitness before the match.
How Australia made the late batting change
ESPNcricinfo reported that Smith's neck problem arose during the second Test. Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald had expected him to be available for the decider the day before it began. On match morning, Smith had a brief net while wearing a heat patch on his neck, then walked across the outfield and was away for about half an hour. Inglis was told he would play and began preparing at the pitch.
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc told reporters after the day's play that he did not know Smith was out until he went to warm up. Starc said Smith had been dealing with the neck problem since the previous week, but did not know its cause or what treatment he had received. No recovery timetable was given in the reports.
South Africa's first innings at Newlands
Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl. South Africa started strongly, and Starc said the pitch offered less early swing and sideways movement than Australia had expected. Starc later took six wickets for 72 runs as South Africa were dismissed for 329 at the close of the first day. Australia still had to bat without Smith against South Africa's attack.
Inglis had filled Smith's place before, playing the first Test against West Indies in Barbados last year after Smith broke a finger. ESPNcricinfo said the Cape Town match was the third Test Smith had missed through injury or illness in 16 months; he also missed an Adelaide Test against England last season because of vertigo. Earlier on this South Africa tour, Smith was struck on the helmet during the first Test and faced a concussion scare, ESPNcricinfo reported.
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Sources and context
- Smith’s absence a pain in the neck for Australia’s reshuffled top six battingCNA; Reuters reporting
- Smith's return to Cape Town a pain in the neck for him and AustraliaESPNcricinfo
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.