Steve Smith's Injury Update: Doubts Loom Over West Indies Tour

Steve Smith's Injury Situation

Steve Smith has managed to avoid undergoing surgery following a compound dislocation of his right little finger, an injury he incurred during the third day of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's. However, his availability for Australia's forthcoming Test series in the West Indies remains uncertain.

The injury occurred while Smith attempted to catch a sharp delivery from Temba Bavuma, but the ball slipped through his grasp, resulting in the dislocation. He was promptly taken to the hospital, where medical staff cleaned the wound, stitched it, and placed the finger in a splint. Although surgery is not required, he will need to wear the splint for approximately seven to eight weeks, while the laceration itself is expected to heal within two weeks, as reported by a sports news outlet.

Pat Cummins expressed optimism about Smith's recovery, stating, "He’s positive. I think it’s somewhere around the 10 days to two weeks. Then maybe you try and bat with a splint and see how that looks. I think it’s a bit of a wait and see. I’d say first Test, maybe unlikely, and then kind of go from there. It’s a bit early just to tell."

If Smith can manage to bat with the splint, a return to play could be possible. However, there are concerns about his fielding abilities, particularly in slip positions where hand dexterity is crucial. The first Test against the West Indies is scheduled to commence on June 25 in Barbados, leaving little time for recovery. Following that, two additional matches are set to take place in Grenada and Jamaica in July.