Steve Smith escapes surgery after WTC Final injury but...

In some positive news, the 36-year-old Australia National Cricket Team star batsman Steve Smith has avoided surgery after suffering a gruesome finger injury during the ICC World Test Championship Final.

Although Steve Smith has managed to dodge the surgery, he remains in doubt for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies National Cricket Team as he is racing against time to achieve full fitness for the matches in the Caribbean.

Steve Smith got injured on Day 3 of the WTC Final

On Day 3, Australia National Cricket Team had set up a slip cordon in front of wicketkeeper Alex Carey to negate the lack of carry, and Smith was standing close to the batter with a helmet on.

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“(Smith) is so close there with the helmet on,” former England captain Nasser Hussain said on-air. This move by the Aussies could have brought a wicket for them, but Steve Smith spilled a sharp chance.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma edged a delivery from Mitchell Starc into the slip cordon, and Smith dropped the batter for 2. In the process, Smith sustained a finger injury and looked in extreme pain.

He instantly left the field to receive some treatment and did not return to the field for the remainder of the match. While speaking on-air, former South African pacer, Shaun Pollock, opined that putting on the helmet obscured Smith's vision and led to the dropped catch.

Steve Smith's injury is a compound dislocation - Ian Smith

After some time, the cricketer-turned-commentator Ian Smith confirmed on-air that Steve Smith had suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger and would be taken to the hospital for further treatment. He said:

"Steve Smith's injury is a compound dislocation of his right little finger. He was assessed at the ground, and now he's been taken away to the hospital to get further assessment and treatment. So that will hurt them in a couple of ways."

"A great fielder, ironically, he did it by dropping a catch, but because of an experience plus factor and tight situations, a shoulder to lean on is not going to be there," he added.

He will be able to bat if...- Latest update on Steve Smith

According to the latest report in ESPNCricinfo, Smith has avoided surgery and he can even start batting if he is comfortable doing it with a splint on his finger, which he has been told to wear for up to eight weeks.

"The wound was cleaned, stitched and the finger placed in a splint and it's understood he will be able to bat if he can tolerate doing so with the splint, which he will need to wear for up to eight weeks although the wound itself is expected to heal in around a fortnight. The impact on him in the field would also need to be assessed and it could hinder his ability to field in the slips," the report read.

Australia's next assignment is a Test series against the West Indies, which will commence on June 25, and he is still doubtful for the matches in the Caribbean. Notably, Smith was set to feature in the Major League Cricket (MLC) for Washington Freedom for a few matches, but it's unlikely he will take part in the league.

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