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Australia are facing a significant injury scare just days before their pivotal second Test against India, set to begin on December 6, 2024. The concern centres around star batter Steve Smith, who suffered a blow to his right hand during a net session in Adelaide on Tuesday. This incident has compounded the team’s existing injury woes, particularly following the announcement that pacer Josh Hazlewood will miss the match due to a side strain.
A frightening moment in the nets for Steve Smith
During the practice session, Smith was taking throwdowns from teammate Marnus Labuschagne when a ball unexpectedly bounced and struck his fingers. According to reports, Smith immediately left the nets after receiving attention from the team’s physio, raising alarms about the severity of his injury. Although he returned briefly to continue batting, uncertainty looms over whether he will be fit for the upcoming Test match against India, where Australia aim to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the first Test.
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Travis Head responds to rumours of rift between Australia bowlers and batters
Here’s the video:
🚨 Another injury scare for Australia!
Steve Smith in pain after being hit on his fingers by a throwdown from Marnus Labuschagne. After being attended by a physio, Smith left the nets. @debasissen reporting from Adelaide #INDvsAUS #BGT2024 pic.twitter.com/jgEQO0BTuz
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 3, 2024
The ripple effect of injuries
The Australian squad is already grappling with the absence of Hazlewood, who has been sidelined due to a “low-grade left side injury.” This injury not only rules him out of the second Test but also casts doubt on his availability for the remainder of the series.
Hazlewood’s absence is particularly notable given his previous performance against India in Pink-Ball Tests, where he was instrumental in dismissing the Indian batting lineup for just 36 runs during their last encounter on Australian soil.
In light of these injuries, Australia have called up two uncapped bowlers, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, to bolster their squad. Additionally, Scott Boland is expected to make a return to Test cricket after last playing in July 2023. The management’s decisions will be crucial as they navigate this challenging period.
Marnus Labuschagne’s own injury scare
Adding to Australia’s concerns, Labuschagne also experienced an injury scare during the same net session. He was reportedly struck by a rising delivery from bowling coach Daniel Vettori but managed to shake it off and continue batting. Both Labuschagne and Smith have been under scrutiny for their recent performances, with neither having scored a century in their last 23 innings. Their struggles have put additional pressure on Australia’s batting lineup as they prepare for a must-win situation against India.
