Steve Smith Faces Injury Scare Ahead Of Pink-Ball Test Against India At Adelaide

Star Australian batter Steve Smith suffered a hit on his right thumb while batting in the nets ahead of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India at Adelaide Oval, reported Wisden on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the hosts experienced a mild scare from Smith as while he was taking throwdowns from Marnus Labuschagne, he was struck on his right thumb. For a brief while, he stopped batting and looked in some serious pain while having a chat with Marnus Labuschagne, as per Wisden.

An Australian team medical staff member came into the nets for examination of his thumb and Smith moved it gingerly to test its condition. Though he did not experience much discomfort, but left the nets at that point of time.

After a short while, Smith was back, batting in another net, seemingly not having suffered any long-term damage that could impact his participation in Adelaide.

In the first Test at Perth, Smith registered a golden duck in the first innings before being dismissed for 17 runs in the second innings during a massive run chase of 534 runs. The Aussies lost by 295 runs.

Aussies would need their premier batter in form if they want to have any serious chances of bouncing back. In 13 Tests of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-25) cycle, Smith has scored just 755 runs in 26 innings, averaging a sub-par 32.82, with a century and four fifties only to show for and a best score of 110.

In 11 Test since his last century against England in July last year, Smith has scored 589 runs in 11 matches at an average of 31.00, with just four fifties in 22 innings and best score of 91*.

Smith has played six Tests this year, having scored just 230 runs in 12 innings at a shockingly poor average of 25.55, with one fifty and best score of