Australian cricketer Steven Smith. (FILE)
Australian skipper for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka Steven Smith has sustained an elbow injury on the right hand while throwing a ball in the field during a Big Bash League match on Friday.
“His is preparing to join the test squad in Dubai later this week following further specialist input. Further updates will be shared as they are known,” said an Australian Press release.
Smith has been appointed as the full-time skipper Pat Cummins is out of the tour due to the birth of his second child and also an ankle injury.
“Pat Cummins is recovering from increased left ankle soreness which was aggravated by high workloads during the Test summer. He will seek specialist rehabilitation advice this week and is likely to require a period of physical preparation and recovery,” the release quoted about Cummins.
Left-arm spinner Mathew Kunnemann who made an impressive debut in India in 2023 and was selected for the Sri Lankan tour too has sustained a broken thumb while playing for Brisbane Heat.
“He will remain in Australia while the surgical wound heals further. He is planned to resume bowling this week with a view to joining the squad in Sri Lanka if he continues to progress well,” the release added.
Australian squad for Sri Lanka
Nathan McSweeney who was dropped from the Australian squad in the middle of the series against India has been recalled.
In the absence of Pat Cummins the squad has three front-line pace bowlers Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Sean Abbott. The spin department will be taken care of by off-spinner Nathan Lyon and left-arm spinner Matt Kuhneman.
Australia SQUAD: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Nathan McSweeney, Beau Webster, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhneman, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland
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