Steve Smith RULED OUT of Sri Lanka Test series due to injury? Massive update arrives

Australia National Cricket Team have faced a major injury scare ahead of the two-match Sri Lanka series. Stand-in skipper Steve Smith might miss the series against the island nation after he faced injury in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25.

Steve Smith suffered an elbow injury during the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). He hurt his right arm while throwing in the field for Sydney Sixers in their washed-out match against Sydney Thunder on Friday. This makes another instance where he struggles with his elbow.

Steve Smith missed training camp in Dubai and will be seeking advice from a specialist

Steve Smith looked in pain, and the injury seemed to be serious because he didn't travel with the team for the training camp in Dubai ahead of the two-match series against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. The batter will be seeking advice from a specialist before boarding the flight.

Cricket Australia stated that they are hopeful that Steve Smith will recover in time and will be leaving later this week. However, if this doesn't happen then Australia National Cricket Team will be without the skipper as Pat Cummins also has been ruled out of the series.

If Steve Smith gets ruled out of the series, then it opens doors for Travis Head to lead the team for the first time. The left-hander has been part of the leadership group for a while and has been the vice-captain of the team for a long along with Steve Smith, who is the second vice-captain.

He is planning to resume bowling this week with a view to joining the squad in Sri Lanka - Cricket Australia on Matthew Kuhnemann

Australia National Cricket Team are also mulling over the fitness of left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. He recently underwent surgery on a fractured right thumb he sustained against Hobart Hurricanes last week. But Cricket Australia is hopeful about him playing a part.

"He will remain in Australia while the surgical wound heals further," CA said. "He is planning to resume bowling this week with a view to joining the squad in Sri Lanka if he continues to progress well."

If Matthew Kuhnemann fails to recover in time, then allrounder Cooper Connolly, who bowls left-arm spin, is in line to make his Test debut. He has played four First class games, but it is yet to pick the wicket, and it remains to be seen if he gets selected for the team or not.

He will seek specialist rehabilitation advice this week and is likely to require a period of physical preparation and recovery - Cricket Australia on Steve Smith

Cricket Australia also issued a statement on Pat Cummins, saying that the skipper will seek specialist rehabilitation advice this week. They added that they will keep monitoring his fitness leading into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The statement read:

"He will seek specialist rehabilitation advice this week and is likely to require a period of physical preparation and recovery," CA said. "The [national selection panel] will continue to monitor Cummins' recovery leading into the Champions Trophy."

Pat Cummins was named skipper of Australia for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, there isn't clarity if the batter will be fit by the time the tournament starts.

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