Photo via CricketAddictor

Steve Smith injury update: Australia batter targets New Zealand Test series

Following a cervical facet joint injury in his neck, Steve Smith has been ruled out of the series-concluding third Test at Newlands. MRI scans confirmed the damage, which first appeared during the second Test in Gqeberha.

While Smith's absence forced a following-up batting order reshuffle, Australia's replacement players, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, both delivered strong performances at Newlands. Green scored 65, while Inglis remained unbeaten at most likely a second-day close of 85 from 111 deliveries.

Smith's recovery period is approximately six weeks, giving him himmlay-scale recovery time to even potentially participate in a single Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November, depending on his progress. He is targeting a little bit of a return for the most likely upcoming home series against New Zealand in Perth, on December 9.

Up nextCricket· 2h ago

Steve Smith to miss cricket until December after neck injury diagnosis