Smith fails fitness test and misses Cape Town Test decider

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 19:20 · Archive

Steve Smith failed a fitness test on the morning of the third Test against South Africa due to a neck injury, forcing him to miss the match.

Steve Smith was ruled out of Australia's third Test against South Africa in Cape Town due to a neck injury sustained before the match. Scans four days before the game showed joint damage to Smith's neck. Captain Pat Cummins said Smith had given every indication he was confident he would play, batting in the nets for 35 minutes the day before the match. On the morning of day one, a pain-killing injection was administered as a last attempt to get Smith fit, but it left him with shooting pain and made him feel worse.

Smith's main concern was an inability to flex his neck and move his head forwards and backwards. A fitness test on the morning of play found him unfit to field. Josh Inglis scored a first-innings century in Smith's place.

Australia went on to lose the match by 176 runs, collapsing to be all out for 111 on the final day. Cummins said after the defeat: 'He knows his body better than anyone else. I was definitely disappointed.' Australia had been right to be confident about Smith's availability before the fitness test on match day, the team insisted.

How it is being reported

• 'Show goes on': disappointed skipper on Smith injuryAustralia have insisted they were right to be confident Steve Smith would play the South Africa series decider, and his absence did not impact the toss call.Perth Now · 31 Oct, 19:06
• 'Show goes on': disappointed skipper on Smith injuryAustralia have insisted they were right to be confident Steve Smith would play the South Africa series decider, and his absence did not impact the toss call.The West Australian · 31 Oct, 19:06

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

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