Steve Smith has been cleared to rejoin the Australia squad for the upcoming two-match test series against Sri Lanka following an injury while playing for Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2024-25.
“Steve Smith has undergone a specialist medical review today following his right elbow injury sustained during the Big Bash League. He has been cleared to rejoin the Test squad and travel to Dubai,” said Cricket Australia in a statement.
Steve Smith who has been appointed as captain for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka 2025 in the absence of Pat Cummins who is expecting the birth of his second child.
Following the injury, it was said that Smith would not travel with the squad for the preparations camp in Dubai which also raising concerns about his participation in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
However, the cricket.com.au has confirmed that Steve Smith will return to batting as early this week to prepare for the upcoming test tour.
“Smith is expected to return to batting later in the week to begin his preparation for the first Test against Sri Lanka,” a Cricket Australia statement read.
Smith’s injury comes as spinner Matthew Kuhnemann hopes to prove his fitness for the series after undergoing surgery on a thumb injury to his non-bowling he suffered in the BBL.
Ahead of the BBL finals, test legend David Warner nominated Thunder teammate and leftarm spinner Ton Andrews as an out of the box replacement should Kuhnemann fail to recover.
“Connolly (would) have to bowl 25 overs … they could throw someone like Tommy Andrews over there as well,” Warner said.
“You’ve got a good back-up there in Todd Murphy. It is two bowlers (Murphy and Nathan Lyon) bowling the same (offspin) but when you’ve got quality, you might as well use it.”
The first match of the Australia-Sri Lanka tests will begin on January 29 at Galle International Stadium.
