7 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 19:34 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:49 UTC
Steve Smith has been cleared of serious neck damage and is expected to be fit for Australia’s first Test against New Zealand in December. Scans revealed an injury to a cervical facet joint, which helps stabilise movement in the neck, ruling him out of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Cricket Australia said Smith will continue treatment and rehabilitation, with a full return anticipated for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand.
Australia is set to host New Zealand across four Tests starting on 9 December in Perth. Smith had been dealing with the neck issue since the second Test in Gqeberha and was unable to bat properly, leading to his omission from the XI. Australia reached 330 for four by the end of the second day in response to South Africa's 329.
Content auto-generated. May contain inaccuracies.