Steven Smith becomes latest Australian injury casualty, doubt for 1st India Test

Steven Smith 

Australian all-rounder Steven Smith has joined his captain Michael Clarke in being an uncertainty for the 1st Test against India, starting in Brisbane on December 4, following complaints of soreness in his right quadricep after the 5th ODI against South Africa yesterday. He underwent a scan in Sydney this morning, and has been ruled out of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield fixture starting tomorrow.

Talking about Smith’s injury, Chief Medical Officer John Orchard said: “Steve’s scan showed a low grade quadriceps muscle strain and has been ruled out of tomorrow's New South Wales Bupa Sheffield Shield game in Sydney as a result.

His current prognosis is that he is likely to be fit to play in the first Test in Brisbane in the middle of next week. He will stay in Sydney for a few days for further physiotherapy treatment and assessment over the rest of the week."

The 25-year-old has been in outstanding form with the bat over the last 12 months, scoring 739 runs from 9 Tests at an average of 52.78 and 541 runs from 12 ODIs at just under 50. In the recent ODI series against South Africa, he amassed 284 runs at 84.66 with a highest score of 104, rightly claiming the Man of the Series Award in the process.

Although Smith started off as a leg spinner, his batting has really come on in recent times, and his consistency in the middle-order is invaluable in a side studded with stroke-makers. Naturally then, the Australian selectors will be desperately hoping that his injury is not too serious, especially with skipper Clarke’s participation also in doubt due to a hamstring injury.