Australia vs India: Steve Smith leaves training after 10 minutes due to sore back ahead of the Adelaide Test

Australia are battling injuries ahead of the first of the four-match Test series against India. Their latest concern in this aspect is a huge one with their talismanic batsman Steve Smith training for only 10 minutes due to sore back on Tuesday. It will be severe blow for the hosts if Smith is ruled out of the opening Test as they are already without their ae opener David Warner.

Smith was in great form in the ODI series against the Men in Blue scoring two consecutive centuries. He also looked is brilliant touch in the T20Is and is certainly looking forward to making it big in the Tests. Steve Smith has a great record across formats, especially in Tests, against India and he would love to continue scoring centuries against the touring side. But for that to happen, he will have to get fit first.

The scenes at the Adelaide Oval weren’t encouraging three days ahead of the pink ball Test. According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, Steve Smith trained for only 10 minutes after routine warm-up and then walked away after speaking to the physio. The Cricket Australia (CA) spokesperson confirmed that the former captain is receiving treatment for back soreness and will return to training only on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen if Smith regains fitness 24 hours in the lead up to the Test as Australia generally confirm their playing XI (or 12) a day before the game.

Steve Smith was a notable absentee during Australia’s warm up. Walked out later and then left with the physio #AusvIND pic.twitter.com/09LynJ9rGD

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 15, 2020

Australia’s injury issues

Meanwhile, Australia are suffering from injury issues to their key players already and Steve Smith’s sore back is an added concern for them now. Among others injured, Warner is ruled out of the first Test due to hamstring injury while Will Pucovski suffered concussion after being hit on the head by a bouncer from Kartik Tyagi in the first warm-up game.

Cameron Green seems set for a potential Test debut in Adelaide but even he needs to clear concussion tests. The all-rounder was hit on the head by Jasprit Bumrah while batting in the day-night warm-up.