Overview:
It is a significant setback for the hosts, considering his form and the impact his presence has on the batting order.
Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval. He led Australia in the first two Tests in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, but the legendary batter failed to recover from his illness despite the best efforts of the medical staff.
Usman Khawaja, who was left out of the original Playing XI, was added to the team. The right-handed batter scored a fifty in the pink-ball Test and played a role in Australia’s win by 8 wickets.
Cummins revealed that Smith has been unwell for the last couple of days and didn’t practice much. “Smith is out as he is unwell. Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) replaces him and will bat at No.4,” Pat Cummins said.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Smith spoke to Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, on the match morning before returning to the hotel.
It is a significant setback for the hosts, considering his form and the impact his presence has on the batting order. He was brilliant as a skipper at the Optus Stadium and the Gabba and led the hosts from the front.
Smith’s leadership was spot on despite Australia facing some tough moments in the middle.
Playing XIs
Australia 1 Jake Weatherald, 2 Travis Head, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Usman Khawaja, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Josh Inglis, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland
England 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Will Jacks, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue