Bad news for Australia during WTC Final: Star player got severely injured and left the field

Australia suffered a major blow during the third day’s play of the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at the Lord’s here on Friday, as their star batsman Steve Smith was sent for an X-ray to a nearby hospital after suffering a compound dislocation in the little finger of his right hand.

When South Africa captain Temba Bavuma hit a delivery from left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc across the boundary in the 20th over, Smith failed to catch it as he did not have much time to react. Soon after, Smith, who was standing about 14 metres from the stumps, walked straight off the field while teenage opener Sam Constas came in as a substitute fielder. But a few overs later, Konstas also required medical attention and was replaced by substitute fielder, left-arm spinner Mathew Kuhnemann.

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Smith did not return to the field in the post-tea session as Cricket Australia (CA) said the right-handed batsman had suffered a ‘compound dislocation of the little finger of his right hand’. “He was assessed on the field by Australian team medical staff and taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment,” CA said.

The dislocation means Smith is clearly doubtful for their Test tour of the West Indies, which begins in ten days. Australia, the current World Test Championship holders, the only source of relief for is that Australia have completed all their batting assignments, with Smith making 66 and 13 runs respectively.

Australia made 207 in the second innings thanks to Mitchell Starc’s 58-run knock and a 59-run last wicket partnership with Josh Hazlewood, after which South Africa is chasing a challenging target of 282 runs.

Aiden Markram held one end and is unbeaten on 49 runs off 66 balls. South Africa has scored 184/2 in 46 overs in the second innings. It needed 98 runs to win. South Africa will hope that captain Temba Bavuma is fine. He suffered severe pain due to a hamstring strain ten minutes before the tea break. South Africa will hope that captain Temba Bavuma is fine. He suffered severe pain due to a hamstring strain ten minutes before the tea break.