Injury points finger of doubt at Smith's Windies tour

The Advertiser

12 hours ago

Star batter Steve Smith has avoided surgery after suffering a "gruesome" compound dislocation of his finger at Lord's.
In a major blow for Australia's immediate and long-term prospects, Smith hurt his right little finger in a crucial moment of the World Test Championship final on Friday.
He won't field on Saturday as South Africa close in on an upset win, but the 36-year-old left hospital to return to the team hotel on Friday night.
Smith was back at Lord's on Saturday watching on.
His finger was washed and disinfected at hospital, later placed in a splint.
The wound should heal in two weeks, and he will be able to play if he can tolerate wearing a splint while batting.
Smith will be required to keep his finger in a splint for up to eight weeks.
Australia's first Test against the West Indies begins in Barbados on June 25, followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica.
One of the greatest red-ball batters of all time, Smith's possible absence will be a major blow after scoring four centuries from his past six Tests in a stunning late-career resurgence.
But Smith's misfortune could give out-of-form teammate Marnus Labuschagne a reprieve.
The 30-year-old Labuschagne averaged less than 30 in this WTC cycle over the past two years, with his last century coming back in July 2023.
A long-term No.3, Labuschagne moved up to open for the first time in his Test career for this match.
But the promotion failed to snap him out of his lean spell, making 17 and 22.
Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years.
If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3.
But even Khawaja, who turns 39 this year, is under pressure to keep his Test career going after scores of 0 and 7 in this Test.
Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, former Australia captain Smith put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two.
Smith immediately left the field in immense pain after spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles.
Instead, Bavuma combined with Aiden Markram for an unbeaten 143-run stand to put South Africa in reach of a famous victory by stumps on day three.
The 36-year-old was assessed by medical staff in the Lord's change rooms, before being taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment.
A compound dislocation is when bone pierces the skin, which could mean Smith needs surgery and a long rehabilitation.
Star batter Steve Smith has avoided surgery after suffering a "gruesome" compound dislocation of his finger at Lord's.
In a major blow for Australia's immediate and long-term prospects, Smith hurt his right little finger in a crucial moment of the World Test Championship final on Friday.
He won't field on Saturday as South Africa close in on an upset win, but the 36-year-old left hospital to return to the team hotel on Friday night.
Smith was back at Lord's on Saturday watching on.
His finger was washed and disinfected at hospital, later placed in a splint.
The wound should heal in two weeks, and he will be able to play if he can tolerate wearing a splint while batting.
Smith will be required to keep his finger in a splint for up to eight weeks.
Australia's first Test against the West Indies begins in Barbados on June 25, followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica.
One of the greatest red-ball batters of all time, Smith's possible absence will be a major blow after scoring four centuries from his past six Tests in a stunning late-career resurgence.
But Smith's misfortune could give out-of-form teammate Marnus Labuschagne a reprieve.
The 30-year-old Labuschagne averaged less than 30 in this WTC cycle over the past two years, with his last century coming back in July 2023.
A long-term No.3, Labuschagne moved up to open for the first time in his Test career for this match.
But the promotion failed to snap him out of his lean spell, making 17 and 22.
Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years.
If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3.
But even Khawaja, who turns 39 this year, is under pressure to keep his Test career going after scores of 0 and 7 in this Test.
Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, former Australia captain Smith put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two.
Smith immediately left the field in immense pain after spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles.
Instead, Bavuma combined with Aiden Markram for an unbeaten 143-run stand to put South Africa in reach of a famous victory by stumps on day three.
The 36-year-old was assessed by medical staff in the Lord's change rooms, before being taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment.
A compound dislocation is when bone pierces the skin, which could mean Smith needs surgery and a long rehabilitation.
Star batter Steve Smith has avoided surgery after suffering a "gruesome" compound dislocation of his finger at Lord's.
In a major blow for Australia's immediate and long-term prospects, Smith hurt his right little finger in a crucial moment of the World Test Championship final on Friday.
He won't field on Saturday as South Africa close in on an upset win, but the 36-year-old left hospital to return to the team hotel on Friday night.
Smith was back at Lord's on Saturday watching on.
His finger was washed and disinfected at hospital, later placed in a splint.
The wound should heal in two weeks, and he will be able to play if he can tolerate wearing a splint while batting.
Smith will be required to keep his finger in a splint for up to eight weeks.
Australia's first Test against the West Indies begins in Barbados on June 25, followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica.
One of the greatest red-ball batters of all time, Smith's possible absence will be a major blow after scoring four centuries from his past six Tests in a stunning late-career resurgence.
But Smith's misfortune could give out-of-form teammate Marnus Labuschagne a reprieve.
The 30-year-old Labuschagne averaged less than 30 in this WTC cycle over the past two years, with his last century coming back in July 2023.
A long-term No.3, Labuschagne moved up to open for the first time in his Test career for this match.
But the promotion failed to snap him out of his lean spell, making 17 and 22.
Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years.
If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3.
But even Khawaja, who turns 39 this year, is under pressure to keep his Test career going after scores of 0 and 7 in this Test.
Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, former Australia captain Smith put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two.
Smith immediately left the field in immense pain after spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles.
Instead, Bavuma combined with Aiden Markram for an unbeaten 143-run stand to put South Africa in reach of a famous victory by stumps on day three.
The 36-year-old was assessed by medical staff in the Lord's change rooms, before being taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment.
A compound dislocation is when bone pierces the skin, which could mean Smith needs surgery and a long rehabilitation.