Steve Smith has learned his fate for the Boxing Day Test after the superstar batter was a late withdrawal at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, replaced by Usman Khawaja.
There had been chatter around Smith’s status leading up to the third Test, where Australia has a chance to retain the Ashes urn yet again, with mixed reports of illness and some heavy blows in the nets.
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In the absence of Pat Cummins, the 36-year-old Smith had captained the side in the twin eight-wicket wins to start this year’s series, averaging 51.5 with the bat.
That included a blistering 23 not out from just nine balls in the second innings run chase at the Gabba, with Smith’s face-off with England quick Jofra Archer the defining moment of the series to date.
But the Aussie No. 4, who has had vertigo issues in the past, was examined by team medical staff on Tuesday afternoon and again on Wednesday morning.
The 121-Test veteran then looked gutted after it was confirmed illness had ruled him out of the third Test, when only an England win will prolong this year’s battle.
“Steve Smith was ruled out of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide today,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“Over the past few days he has been feeling unwell, with symptoms including nausea and dizziness.
“He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play. However, given the persistence of symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed.”
The fourth Ashes Test commences in nine days’ time at the MCG and CA expects Smith to be back in the line-up on Boxing Day.
“He is being treated for a potential vestibular issue,” the statement added.
“This is something Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly.
“He is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.”
Australia’s first task will be getting through the Adelaide contest without their batting talisman.
Aussie greats Mark Waugh and Alyssa Healy both called Smith’s absence a “huge blow” for the home side.
“It’s a huge blow for Australia,” Waugh said on Kayo Sports’ live Ashes coverage.
“That’s a big loss to lose your No. 1 batsman.”
Healy added: “It is a huge blow, he’s done so well throughout the series so far and been the backbone of the innings.
“All the Jofra chat at the end of the Gabba Test match as well.
“So a big blow for that order, a bit disruptive as well.”
Smith’s withdrawal gave Khawaja a reprieve, after the veteran was ruled out of the Brisbane Test match with a back injury and then left out of the Adelaide XI.
A fierce debate kicked off over whether Khawaja should return to open or be used lower down the order, with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald forming a promising new opening partnership.
When the teams were named, Khawaja was in the unfamiliar position at No. 4.
“I tend to agree with putting Uzzie at four, it probably disrupts the others less so, so that might be the best way to look at it,” Healy said.
“He’s got an opportunity to bat again for Australia.”
He duly got that opportunity in the first session, after Weatherald (18) and Head (10) put on 33 for the first wicket before falling to Archer and Brydon Carse respectively.
After Smith mostly earned praise for his captaincy in the opening two Tests, some fans were interested to see how the returning Cummins would fare without his fellow veteran.
“Really wanna see how Cummins leads Australia in this Test moving forward as he won’t be having Steve Smith to get assistance from,” was one comment on X.
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