Steve Smith Out for New Zealand Tests Due to Neck Injury
Australian opener will miss home Test series against New Zealand in December.
The Brief
- Steve Smith sustained neck pain during the second Test against South Africa and was ruled out of the series decider in Cape Town.
- Cricket Australia confirmed a cervical facet joint injury and ruled Smith out until the New Zealand Test series in December.
- Josh Inglis made his first Test appearance since the Ashes series and scored 85* in the first innings.
Australian batter Steve Smith has been ruled out of the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand due to a cervical facet joint injury in his neck.
The injury was sustained during the second Test against South Africa, and Smith was withdrawn from the series decider in Cape Town.
Cricket Australia confirmed the injury through MRI scans and stated Smith will not be considered for selection until the New Zealand Tests in December.
Josh Inglis, who made his first Test appearance since the Ashes series, played a crucial role in the first innings, scoring 85* as Australia closed on 330/4.
South Africa's total of 329 was supported by contributions from Aiden Markram, Marques Ackermann, and Marco Jansen, before Mitchell Starc led the Australian attack.
Inglis' performance was praised by teammate Matthew Renshaw, who noted his positive impact under pressure in the Test match.
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