Australia has faced a big challenge during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025. Their top batter, Steve Smith, suffered a serious injury. This Steve Smith Injury Scare led to him being sent to a nearby hospital for X-ray tests and more treatment.
Smith injured his right little finger on Day Three of the match against South Africa at Lord’s on Friday. He was fielding very close to the batter at “wide first slip,” wearing a helmet, during the 20th over of South Africa’s second innings.
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, who was on two runs at the time, hit the ball with the edge of his bat. The ball flew towards Smith, who couldn’t hold onto it. He didn’t have much time to react to the fast-moving ball.
Immediate Action and Substitutes
Immediately after the incident, Smith, who was standing about 14 meters (around 45 feet) from the stumps, walked straight off the field. A young opening batter named Sam Konstas came onto the field to replace Smith as a “substitute fielder.”
However, after just a few overs, Konstas also needed medical attention. He had to leave the field and was replaced by another substitute fielder, left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. This double substitution highlighted the intensity and challenges of the day’s play, adding to the concern over the Steve Smith Injury Scare.
Smith did not return to the field for the session after the tea break. Cricket Australia (CA) later confirmed that the right-handed batter had “suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger.” A compound dislocation means the bone has moved out of its joint, and there might also be skin damage.
Cricket Australia added, “He was assessed by Australian team medical staff at the ground and taken to the hospital for X-ray and further treatment.”
Impact on Future Matches
The finger dislocation means there is serious concern about whether Smith will be able to play in Australia’s upcoming Test tour of the West Indies. That tour is set to start in just ten days’ time. This Steve Smith Injury Scare could mean a significant absence for Australia.
The only good news, or “source of relief,” for Australia (who are the current World Test Championship holders) is that Smith has finished all his batting duties in this WTC Final. He scored 66 runs in the first innings and 13 runs in the second. So, his injury won’t affect Australia’s current batting performance in this match.
The Match Situation
South Africa is currently chasing a challenging target of 282 runs to win the WTC Final. Australia had managed to score 207 runs in their second innings. This total was largely boosted by Mitchell Starc’s impressive “rearguard knock” of 58 runs (meaning he scored runs quickly and effectively with the lower-order batters). Starc also shared a crucial 59-run partnership for the last wicket with Josh Hazlewood, which added valuable runs to Australia’s total.
At the time of this report, South Africa had reached 94 runs for 2 wickets in 24 overs in their second innings. They still needed 188 more runs to win the match. Aiden Markram was holding one end of the innings firmly, batting unbeaten on 49 runs from 66 balls.
Temba Bavuma’s Injury Concern
South Africa would also be hoping that their captain, Temba Bavuma, is fine. He was in serious pain after twisting his hamstring (a muscle at the back of the thigh) about ten minutes before the tea break.
Bavuma managed to walk off the field, batting on 11 runs not out. However, a medical assessment during the break will decide if he will be able to continue his innings in the final session of the day. This adds another layer of injury concern to an already intense match, with both teams facing key players possibly sidelined. The overall health of players like Bavuma and the impact of the Steve Smith Injury Scare will be crucial for the final outcome.
The Dangers of Close-In Fielding
Steve Smith’s injury highlights the inherent risks involved in fielding close to the batter in Test cricket. Positions like first slip, gully, and short leg are crucial for taking catches off the edges of the bat, but they are also very dangerous. Fielders are often hit by fast-moving balls, which can cause serious injuries, even when wearing protective gear like helmets. This incident is a stark reminder of the courage and dedication required by these fielders.
Impact on Team Morale and Strategy
Losing a player of Steve Smith’s caliber, even temporarily, can affect team morale. He is not just a key batter but also an experienced leader and a highly regarded fielder. His presence in the field and the dressing room is valuable. While Australia’s batting in this match is done, his potential absence for the West Indies tour will require strategic adjustments and put more pressure on other batters to step up. The Steve Smith Injury Scare might be a short-term issue for this match, but it has broader implications for Australia’s Test future.
This WTC Final has proven to be a truly demanding contest, not only testing the players’ skills but also their physical resilience. Both teams are battling not just each other, but also injuries to key players, making the result even more unpredictable.
For more updates, follow Cricmind on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
