Massive injury scare for Australia as stand-in captain Steve Smith injures elbow ahead of Sri Lanka tour

Steve Smith scored two centuries in the recently-concluded BGT 2024-25.

Australia have been dealt with a major injury scare as their stand-in captain for the tour of Sri Lanka, Steve Smith, suffered elbow injury.

Smith has been named as captain for the test tour due to Pat Cummins’ unavailability for the expected birth of his second child. Smith recently ended his century drought in test cricket with an impressive ton against India in Brisbane.

He followed that with another century in the Boxing Day test in Melbourne. Smith finished the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 as the third-highest run scorer with 314 runs at an average of 35.

Smith injures elbow before the Sri Lanka tour

Smith sustained an elbow injury during a league-stage game of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. He threw himself in the field and sustained a knock in his right elbow.

The injury has delayed Smith’s departure for the team’s training camp in Dubai as he consults a specialist. However, a Cricket Australia statement mentioned that he still hopes to leave later this week.

Australia will also closely monitor Matthew Kuhnemann, who fractured his right thumb playing against Hobart Hurricanes last week in the BBL 2024-25. Kuhnemann has been named alongside Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy to lead Australia’s spin attack in Sri Lanka.

Smith’s injury is a big setback for Australia, who rely heavily on him and Marnus Labuschagne for batting against spinners. Australia will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against England on February 22 and will hope that both Smith and Pat Cummins are fully fit for the tournament.

Australia’s test squad for Sri Lanka tour:

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka test series fixtures:

January 29 to February 2 – Galle – 10:00 AM IST 04:30 AM GMT / 10:00 AM LOCAL

February 6 to February 10 – Galle – 10:00 AM IST 04:30 AM GMT / 10:00 AM LOCAL

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.