Steve Smith suffers sickening finger injury during dropped chance in WTC Final

Australian vice-captain Steve Smith has sustained a sickening finger injury on day three of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s that could rule him out of the upcoming West Indies tour.

Chasing a 282-run target for victory at the home of cricket, the Proteas were 2-72 when Mitchell Starc found the outside edge of Temba Bavuma’s bat, with the Dukes ball sailing towards Smith at chest height.

The 36-year-old, who was donning a helmet and positioned closer than an orthodox first slip to negate the lack of carry, grassed the sharp chance to gift Bavuma an extra life on 2 and deny Starc a third wicket.

To make matters worse for the Australians, Smith damaged the little finger on his right hand while attempting the catch, with the digit pointing in the wrong direction as he returned to his feet. He ran off the field in serious pain accompanied by medical staff, on the verge of throwing up whenever he looked down at his hand.

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Australia's Steve Smith. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: AP

Australia's Steve Smith. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: AP

“He is so close there with the helmet on,” former England captain Nasser Hussain said in commentary.

“It looks like he’s dislocated a finger.”

Former South African bowler Shaun Pollock theorised that the helmet had obscured Smith’s vision, contributing to the dropped chance.

“It’s closer than you’ve ever been standing in your entire career with regards to the slips cordon,” Pollock continued.

Cricket Australia later confirmed that Smith had suffered a compound dislocation in his finger and would be sent for scans at a nearby hospital, putting him in doubt for Australia’s Caribbean tour.

“He will have eight weeks, at least, possibly with some rehab time,” former Australian opener Matthew Hayden said in commentary.

“There is a potential for surgery there, for sure.”

The New South Welshman was set to play two Major League Cricket matches for the Washington Freedom next week before Australia’s tour of the West Indies, which gets underway on June 26.

Australia's Steven Smith leaves the field. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP Source: AFP

Australia’s slips cordon was positioned in front of wicketkeeper Alex Carey because several edges had fallen short of the fielders throughout days two and three of the World Test Championship final. Earlier in the afternoon session, a nick from South African opener Aiden Markram landed directly between Carey and Usman Khawaja at first slip.

During the lunch break on day two, Smith and his teammates were seen practising slips catches while wearing helmets.

“Nothing has carried now for a day and a half now, very unusual,” former Australian opener Matthew Hayden said in commentary.

“It’s very rare to see second slip with a helmet on.”

Bavuma was unbeaten on 11 at tea, albeit nursing what appeared to be a sore hamstring.

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