Cricket News: Steve Smith may be forced to play the next third and final Test against South Africa while in pain due to his injury scare on the night of the New Year’s Test in Sydney. It has proven to be particularly difficult to play on the practice nets at the SCG, and on Tuesday, coach Andrew McDonald’s throwdown struck Smith in the hand.
Smith screamed in agony, threw his gloves to the ground, and then examined his finger. He continued to bat, but it was obvious from his frequent grimaces that he was in pain. Smith ought to be able to take part in the last Test of the summer, despite the fact that it’s not the finest preparation. A player has been hurt recently by an Australian coach’s throwdown, not for the first time.
Prior to the women’s ODI World Cup last year, star batter Beth Mooney suffered a broken jaw as a result of Matthew Mott’s careless throwdown. As a result of Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green’s significant hand injuries sustained during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Australia is already in trouble. The hosts will consequently be compelled to make two alterations to their playing lineup.
Possibility of Josh Hazelwood’s return
According to News Corp, the selectors want to field a team with six hitters, four bowlers, and no all-rounders, replacing Green and Starc in the Test lineup with Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar. For Renshaw, it will be his first time donning the baggy green since 2018. For Agar, it will be his first Test on home soil.
If Australia chooses to play at the SCG with two fast bowlers and two spinners, Josh Hazlewood, the pacer who just survived a side injury, might take Scott Boland’s place in the starting XI. Australia appears to be backing incumbent Hazlewood to team with skipper Pat Cummins despite Boland’s outstanding performance. The question of who is more likely to play was answered by Skipper Cummins in a pretty polite manner.
“We’ll find out tomorrow. Hazlewood is a gentleman. He’s played around 50 games. We share everyone’s disappointment that he hasn’t played in as many Test matches in the past few years. He didn’t take a lot of wickets, but in Perth in especially, I thought he was our greatest bowler and brilliant. Cummins was cited by news.com.au as saying,” If he gets his chance, I’m sure we’ll get back to the super Mr Consistent Joshy.
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