New Delhi
Australia captain Steve Smith has suffered an elbow injury ahead of the Test tour of Sri Lanka but is expected to join the pre-tour camp in Dubai this weekend. Cricket Australia (CA) gave this information on Sunday. CA said left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhneman is recovering from surgery on a fractured thumb he suffered while playing in the Big Bash League (BBL), while regular captain Pat Cummins’ recovery from a sore left ankle continues to be monitored following specialist advice. Will remain.
Smith suffered a right elbow injury while fielding for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League on Friday, which led to the match against Sydney Thunder being abandoned due to rain. As for Kuhneman, CA said he would remain in Australia until surgery on his fractured thumb heals. “If he continues to progress well, he plans to resume bowling this week with a view to joining the team in Sri Lanka,” CA said.
Kuhneman played three Tests on the India tour in early 2023 and even took five wickets. He then dropped out of the team until he took 18 wickets in 6 Sheffield Shield matches for his new team Tasmania and was brought back into the Australian Test team. Australia’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka begins in Galle on January 29, followed by the second match at the same venue on February 6. After this, two ODI matches will be played in Colombo on 12th and 14th February.
CA, meanwhile, said Cummins is recovering from a left ankle strain that was aggravated by a heavy workload during the Test summer, where he helped the team seal a 3-1 series win over India. Cummins, who opted out of the Tests in Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child, will seek specialist rehabilitation advice this week and may require a period of physical preparation and recovery. CA concluded, ‘NSP will continue to monitor Cummins’ recovery ahead of the Champions Trophy.’