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Could we be looking at a replacement for Steve Smith?
Australia v India: Steve Smith injury scare before first Test in Adelaide
Australia’s crisis-laden preparations for the first Test hit another major hurdle after Steve Smith was unable to train two days out from the series opener.
Ben Horne
December 15, 2020 - 7:30PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
FOXSPORTS1:04
Burns still has supporters
Cricket: Australian opener Joe Burns may be under serious pressure to retain his spot, but former wicket keeper Brad Haddin is still backing the him in.
Steve Smith limped back to the team hotel from Adelaide Oval on Tuesday night as his pain sent tremors through Australia’s Test plans.
Australia’s crisis-laden preparations hit another major hurdle when the world’s best batsman was unable to train two days out from the first Test.
Officials expect Smith to recover and play, but even so, India may now ramp up their campaign to pepper the superstar with short-pitched bowling after he broke down with back soreness.
Smith was limping noticeably and moving gingerly as he walked back to the hotel, and was not carrying his backpack like his teammates.
Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
Steve Smith left the training field after tweaking his back. Picture: Getty Images
It’s understood Smith tweaked his lower back trying to field a ground ball and left Australia’s main session after only about 10 minutes.
Smith did not go to the nets at all – which is highly unusual for the insatiable batting addict – but Australian officials are adamant he will bat at Wednesday’s session.
With David Warner and Will Pucovski already out of the first Test, the last thing Australia needed was their best batsman consigned to the massage table rather than out fine-tuning his preparations.
New Zealand’s Neil Wagner restricted Smith’s scoring last summer with a sustained assault of short-pitched bowling, and there is an expectation India’s world-class bowling arsenal will attempt to follow a similar blueprint.
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News that Smith has a stiff back to deal with may only supercharge their plans.
“I think they will give it a go for sure,” said Indian legend, Sunil Gavaskar.
Steve Smith (left), Nathan Lyon, Australia coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns caught up in the middle at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images
“Maybe not straight away, at the start they might look to bowl from over the wicket.
“But I won’t be surprised if the Indians do try that tactic.”
Smith is usually an obsessive trainer so the sight of him not returning from the sheds to bat was one that instantly set alarm bells ringing.
However, there was a calmness about the situation within the Australian camp and a confidence he would be in no doubt to train on Wednesday.
Smith and the Australians have been in Adelaide training solidly since last Friday and the three long sessions he got in over the weekend may have contributed to him pulling up a bit sore.
Australia v India: Steve Smith injury scare before first Test in Adelaide
Australia’s crisis-laden preparations for the first Test hit another major hurdle after Steve Smith was unable to train two days out from the series opener.
Ben Horne
December 15, 2020 - 7:30PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
FOXSPORTS1:04
Burns still has supporters
Cricket: Australian opener Joe Burns may be under serious pressure to retain his spot, but former wicket keeper Brad Haddin is still backing the him in.
Steve Smith limped back to the team hotel from Adelaide Oval on Tuesday night as his pain sent tremors through Australia’s Test plans.
Australia’s crisis-laden preparations hit another major hurdle when the world’s best batsman was unable to train two days out from the first Test.
Officials expect Smith to recover and play, but even so, India may now ramp up their campaign to pepper the superstar with short-pitched bowling after he broke down with back soreness.
Smith was limping noticeably and moving gingerly as he walked back to the hotel, and was not carrying his backpack like his teammates.
Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
Steve Smith left the training field after tweaking his back. Picture: Getty Images
It’s understood Smith tweaked his lower back trying to field a ground ball and left Australia’s main session after only about 10 minutes.
Smith did not go to the nets at all – which is highly unusual for the insatiable batting addict – but Australian officials are adamant he will bat at Wednesday’s session.
With David Warner and Will Pucovski already out of the first Test, the last thing Australia needed was their best batsman consigned to the massage table rather than out fine-tuning his preparations.
New Zealand’s Neil Wagner restricted Smith’s scoring last summer with a sustained assault of short-pitched bowling, and there is an expectation India’s world-class bowling arsenal will attempt to follow a similar blueprint.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
Season 1-8 of Wentworth on Foxtel Now Start Streaming
News that Smith has a stiff back to deal with may only supercharge their plans.
“I think they will give it a go for sure,” said Indian legend, Sunil Gavaskar.
Steve Smith (left), Nathan Lyon, Australia coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns caught up in the middle at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images
“Maybe not straight away, at the start they might look to bowl from over the wicket.
“But I won’t be surprised if the Indians do try that tactic.”
Smith is usually an obsessive trainer so the sight of him not returning from the sheds to bat was one that instantly set alarm bells ringing.
However, there was a calmness about the situation within the Australian camp and a confidence he would be in no doubt to train on Wednesday.
Smith and the Australians have been in Adelaide training solidly since last Friday and the three long sessions he got in over the weekend may have contributed to him pulling up a bit sore.
View attachment 23488
Luckiest batsman ever to retain his spot in his current - I hope he makes the most of it but have serious doubts... prove me wrong Joe
Luckiest batsman ever to retain his spot in his current - I hope he makes the most of it but have serious doubts... prove me wrong Joe
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- Messages
- 39,510
- Likes
- 128,591
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
- Joined
- 3 Jul 2017
- Messages
- 39,510
- Likes
- 128,591
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
- Joined
- 3 Jul 2017
- Messages
- 39,510
- Likes
- 128,591
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
