Last Updated on 49 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Steve Smith did not take the field with his teammates after Australia set South Africa a target of 421 to win the Durban Test.
Smith was struck on the helmet by an Anrich Nortje bouncer earlier on day four. He seemed fine after the blow, batting on before eventually holing out to Marco Jansen at long on for 27.
Smith’s absence will be felt in the slips, despite the fact Australia still have capable fielders in those positions. He took four catches in the first innings, including two blinders to dismiss David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne.
Steve Smith off the field due to concussion protocols, Michael Neser the sub-fielder
However, he is undergoing testing under the concussion protocols, as confirmed by CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny on X (formerly Twitter).
“Steve Smith is off the ground, being assessed after being hit in the head while batting,” Cherny wrote.
Also, Alex Malcolm provided an update via Cricinfo. He wrote that Cricket Australia (CA) will provide a further update “later today or tomorrow.”
Smith has suffered concussions before, most notably in the Lord’s Test of 2019. He also missed the Adelaide Test last year against England due to vertigo. If he is diagnosed with concussion, it will very likely rule him out of the second Test in Gqeberha, which begins six days after the first match.
Michael Neser was seen warming up with his baggy green during the tea break. He is on the field as the sub-fielder. There were some suggestions on social media that Neser is on as Smith’s concussion substitute, which is not the case.
More to come…
