Smith's neck injury forces him out of Cape Town Test decider

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 02:50 · Archive

Steve Smith failed to overcome a neck injury and did not play in Australia's third Test in Cape Town, which Australia lost by 176 runs.

Steve Smith was ruled out of Australia's third Test in Cape Town after failing to overcome a neck injury on the first day of the match. Scans taken four days before the game showed joint damage in Smith's neck. Initially, Pat Cummins and Australia's coaches indicated publicly that Smith would likely still play, hoping he would 'compartmentalise' the issue. Smith batted for 35 minutes in the nets the day before the match and seemed relatively confident he would feature.

However, on the morning of day one, Smith was given a pain-killing injection in a final attempt to get him fit. The injection left him with shooting pain and made his condition worse. Smith's main concern was an inability to flex his neck and move his head forwards and backwards. Cummins said afterwards that Smith 'wanted to give it right to the last minute' but 'just didn't feel quite right'. The captain added: 'He knows his body better than anyone else. I was definitely disappointed.'

Josh Inglis scored a first-innings century in Smith's absence, but Australia collapsed on the final day, being all out for 111. Australia lost the match by 176 runs.

How it is being reported

• Pat Cummins admits ‘disappointment’ over Steve Smith injury saga‘The show goes on.’Perth Now · 1 Nov, 02:23
• Pat Cummins admits ‘disappointment’ over Steve Smith injury saga‘The show goes on.’The West Australian · 1 Nov, 02:22

In this story: Steve Smith · Pat Cummins · Josh Inglis · Australia · Cape Town · Gqeberha

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