Image: Steve Smith has been cleared by a specialist to rejoin the Australian Test squad / © NDTV Sports
For the trip to Sri Lanka, Steve Smith has been cleared to rejoin the Australian Test squad after recovering from an elbow injury. The injury occurred during a Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, just 10 days before the first Test in Galle.
This prompted a delay in Smith’s travel to the team’s camp in Dubai, where he was assessed by a specialist. Fortunately, Smith has been cleared to fly to the UAE and is expected to resume batting later in the week to prepare for the first Test against Sri Lanka. Smith, who has been named vice-captain, will also be leading the team as captain due to Pat Cummins’ absence for the birth of his child.
Smith’s return is a crucial boost for Australia, as he will captain his first full series since the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering saga. Meanwhile, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who is recovering from a thumb injury, is also expected to join the squad after resuming bowling. Should Kuhnemann not recover in time, there are discussions about potential replacements, including Tom Andrews and Todd Murphy.