Sterrenbag Steve Smith has avoided an operation after a “horrible” composite dislocation, but is almost certain to miss the first test of Australia against the West Indies.
The availability of Smith for the upcoming series of three races in the Caribbean, starting in Barbados on 25 June, remains in good doubt.
“I would say that the first test might be unlikely, and then going from there, but it is a bit early to tell,” said Pat Cummins of Australia after the final loss of the shock World Test Championship to South Africa on Saturday.
In a big blow to Australia, Smith hurt his right little finger at a crucial moment of the Lord’s decision maker on Friday.
Smith wore a helmet in the slipcordon and was far closer to the stumps than normal when he dropped Proteas Captain Temba Bavuma just two.
Reds were regularly short of field players during the test, but it flew to Smith and he could not hold on to it.
He immediately left the field in enormous pain after spilling the catch that Australia would have put in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles.
Smith did not stand out on Saturday, because South Africa upset a milestone.
The 36-year-old left the hospital to return to the team hotel on Friday evening and was back at Lord’s on Saturday and looked up.
His finger was washed and disinfected in the hospital and 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 hitting.
Smith will have to keep his finger in a splint for a maximum of eight weeks.
A composite dislocation includes bone that pierces the skin, which could mean that Smith needs surgery and long rehabilitation.
One of the greatest red ball strokes of all time, Smith’s possible absence will be a big blow after he scored four centuries in his last six tests in a stunning revival of the late career.
But Smith’s accident could give a delay in the form of teammate Marnus Labuschagne.
The 30-year-old Labuschagne was on average less than 30 in this WTC cycle in the past two years, with his last century back in July 2023.
Labuschagne, number three in the long term, opened for the first time in his test career for this competition to open for the first time.
But the promotion did not succeed in breaking him out of his lean enchanting, which made 17 and 22.
Teenage Tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Christmas Day, gets a chance as an opener for the first tour of Australia through the Caribbean in 10 years.
If Smith cannot play, Konstas could go back to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would probably fall to number three.
But even Khawaja, who will be 39 this year, is under pressure to let his test career go into this test after scores of 0 and 7.
MONKEY
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