Photo via The Times of India

Steve Smith cleared of concussion after helmet blow, returns to field

Former Australia captain Steve Smith returned to action on the fifth day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban after being cleared of concussion following a helmet strike. During Australia’s second innings, Smith was hit by a short ball from Anrich Nortje, forcing him to withdraw from fielding duties for the remainder of South Africa’s first innings.

Medical assessments over 24 hours under Cricket Australia’s protocols confirmed he was fit to resume, and he took a catch to dismiss Kyle Verreynne as Australia tightened their grip on the match. The incident echoed Smith’s 2019 Ashes concussion scare, adding weight to his cautious return amid a high-stakes series opener.

By lunch on the final day, South Africa were 166/6, needing 319 more runs to win, with opener Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen leading the resistance. Australia, bolstered by Matt Renshaw’s all-round performance—including 190 and 82 runs across the innings—were just four wickets away from victory as play resumed after lunch.

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