Injury scare for Steve Smith as Australia beaten in second ODI in Sri Lanka

Australia will be sweating on the fitness of Steve Smith after the star batsman appeared to tweak a leg muscle during their 26-run ODI loss to Sri Lanka. Chasing 216 for victory off 43 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method on Thursday (Friday AEST), Australia were on track at 170-5 with Glenn Maxwell in hot form at Pallekele.

But Maxwell’s departure for 30 off 25 balls and the run-out of Alex Carey (15) sparked a collapse of 19-5 as Australia were bowled out for 189 in 37.1 overs. Sri Lanka had posted 220-9 in 47.4 overs before a rain delay of more than two hours halted proceedings and the home side’s fighting victory levelled the five-match series at 1-1.

Sri Lanka paceman Chamika Karunaratne was the hero with 3-47, snaring the key scalps of Smith and Maxwell to go with his run-out of Carey. Smith called for medical attention after pulling up lame while pushing hard for a second run during Australia’s unsuccessful run chase.

The 33-year-old received strapping to his thigh area on his left leg, and was able to bat on. Smith was dismissed a few overs later for 28. With the two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting on 29 June, Australia will be hoping Smith’s setback is nothing more than a minor niggle.

Australia have endured a horror run with injuries during the tour, with Ashton Agar (side), Marcus Stoinis (side), Sean Abbott (finger), Kane Richardson (hamstring), Mitchell Starc (finger) and Mitch Marsh (hamstring) all injured. Stoinis, Abbott and Richardson have already been sent home, while Agar is no guarantee to play again on tour.

“I’m definitely not playing any more of the one-dayers,” Agar said. “I’ve got a bit of a tear in my side, which isn’t great. Hopefully, maybe around the second Test match [I can