Steve Smith Seeks Treatment for Neck Injury Ahead of Upcoming Matches

Steve Smith's Recovery Journey

New Delhi [India], November 9: Australian cricketer Steve Smith has sought medical advice from a specialist in New York regarding a neck injury that sidelined him from the final Test against South Africa. He is optimistic about returning to play for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield later this month, prior to the Test series against New Zealand, as reported by a sports news outlet.

Smith was found to have an injury to his cervical facet joint after experiencing discomfort during the second Test at St George’s Park. This pain impacted his batting stance, leading him to bat lower in the order during the second innings.

Initially, there was hope within the Australian team that Smith would be fit for the series finale at Newlands. However, a nerve-block injection on match day resulted in the decision that he would not be ready to play.

While the rest of the Australian team returned home after the series, Smith headed to New York, where he has an apartment and spends a significant amount of time. He is anticipated to return to Sydney next week, according to reports.

“I spoke with him in New York, and he has had some specialist consultations there, making progress in understanding the issues that troubled him in South Africa,” said George Bailey, chair of selectors, during a press briefing. “We hope this positive trend continues. His goal is to be available for the fifth round of the Shield.”

Bailey indicated that there were no signs suggesting an imminent retirement from Smith, and he is planning for Smith's participation in the upcoming tours to India and England next year.

“Absolutely. I haven’t had any discussions with him that would imply otherwise. The updates from New York are encouraging. We are working to identify the causes of his issues and how to address them quickly if they arise again. He is an exceptional player, and our team is stronger with him in it. He has stated that he evaluates his career on a series-by-series basis, which is common for players of his experience,” Bailey added.

“He has likely faced more inquiries about his future than many others. Given his achievements, I believe he still has much more to accomplish. We have some exciting series ahead, and I am confident he will play a crucial role in them,” he concluded.