Injury Cloud over Steve Smith before the 1st TEST

Adelaide 15/12: Just two days before the start of the historic day/night test match between India and Australia, star batsman Steve Smith is under an injury cloud. Australia’s no.4 has tweaked his back while picking up a ball during the practice session.

According to an Australian team spokesman, Smith had tweaked his back when bending down to pick up a ball. Smith was present in the early warm-ups but he headed back to the dressing room only after 10 minutes into the session.

Australia is already struggling with injuries to David Warner, Will Pucovski and, Cameron Green. If Smith sustains the injury then he will miss the test match. Smith, if misses the test, will dent Australia’s already fragile batting line-up.

Cricket Australia officials have downplayed Smith’s injury concerns and said that he is expected to hit the nets on Wednesday. However, his injury is deeply worrying given the already injury-ravaged nature of the Australian squad.

Australia’s top order looks weak in the absence of David Warner, if Smith misses out then the burden on Marnus Labuschangne will increase ten folds.