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Ahead of the pink-ball Test of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series 2024-25, hosts, Australia have been handed another blow with the senior batter Steven Smith sustaining an injury. Smith, who demoted himself at number four position ahead of the highly-anticipated BGT series, got hit on his finger while practicing in the nets.
Notably, the injury came early on Tuesday, December 3, just three days prior to the day-night Test, which is scheduled to be played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide from December 6 onwards. The veteran batter was taking on Marnus Labuschagne in the throwdowns when he got injured.
Watch video of Steve Smith’s injury during Australia’s net session:
Speaking of the injury, it comes at a crucial juncture with Josh Hazlewood already being ruled out of the series with a “low grade left side injury”. It is to be further noted that if Smith gets ruled out of the second Test in Adelaide, Australia have Josh Inglis in the line-up, who could be drafted in.
Notably, Smith hasn’t been in the best of his form off late. In the first Test in Perth, in the first inning he was dismissed on a golden duck followed by a 17-run 60-ball knock in the second innings. Apart from him, Marnus Labuschagne also had a forgettable day as he registered single-digit scores in the two innings.
Australia squad for second BGT Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Bredan Doggett.
