Steve Smith suffered a blow to his right thumb during a net session three days ahead of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide.
Australia and India are set to resume hostilities in a day/night Test at the Adelaide Oval from December 6, after the visitors won the first Test of the series in Perth by 295 runs last week.
On Tuesday (December 3), though, the hosts' had a mild injury scare during a net session. Star batter Steve Smith, taking throwdowns from teammate Marnus Labuschagne, was struck on the right thumb. Smith briefly stopped batting and appeared to be wincing in pain before having a chat with Labuschagne.
A member of Australia's medical staff came over and examined Smith's thumb, which the batter moved gingerly to test its condition. He did not appear to be in any immediate discomfort, but left the net at that point.
Steve Smith is receiving medical attention to his thumb after a Marnus Labuschagne throw-down. pic.twitter.com/9webpVFZjS
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 3, 2024
However, shortly afterwards Smith resumed batting in another net, and did not appear to have done any lasting damage. The initial signs are promising, but it is possible that the Australian team decide to assess his condition further before the second Test. Smith scored a golden duck in the second innings in Perth, and 17 in the fourth innings in Australia's unsuccessful run chase.
Senior pacer Josh Hazlewood has already been ruled out of the match with a side strain, potentially paving the way for Scott Boland to step up. Uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett are also in the frame, having been called up to the squad as Hazlewood's cover.
All-rounder Beau Webster had also been added to the squad as cover for Mitchell Marsh, but Marsh declared himself fit for the pink-ball Test yesterday.
This match serves as the perfect opportunity for Australia to hit back, given they have won 11 of the 12 pink-ball Tests they have played. However, their only loss came in January this year, against West Indies at the Gabba.
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