SA vs AUS 2026: Steve Smith misses fielding duties after helmet blow

Australian veteran Steven Smith did not take the field in South Africa’s second innings in Durban. On Monday, the right-handed batter was struck by pacer Anrich Nortje’s short pitched delivery which Smith lost sight of and he ducked into the path of the ball, which hit him near the top of the helmet.

The incident happened in the 43rd over of the fourth day’s play of the first Test and the play was held up for a few minutes and Smith took his time for the concussion test and brought another helmet to carry forward the proceedings. He scored 27 off 41 deliveries including three fours and a maximum. The former captain was dismissed by Simon Harmer.

The visitors declared themselves giving South Africans a target of 421 and when Aussies came to take the field Smith was not among the XI, where Michael Neser took his place. The vice-captain was a gem in the field on the third day where he took three brilliant slip catches.

Recently, Smith has been a regular in getting concussed, from 2019 he has been tested twice and suffered from vertigo three times, which also forced him to being ruled out of two games. Australians are in a good position to clinch the opening Test of the three-match series with the hosts needing 319 runs on the final day to win the game.

The second Test is set to begin on October 18 at St George’s Park which is a short-time for preparation and all eyes from the physio will be on Smith’s recovery.

Speaking about the game, Australia scored 390 in the first innings where Matt Renshaw scored 190 runs narrowly missing his maiden double ton. From, the Proteas Wiaan Mulder took 4/68. South Africa batted poorly in their first innings, getting all out for 284 runs. It was a collective effort from Australian bowlers, where the skipper Pat Cummins was the standout bowler, who took 3/54.

Again, Aussies came to bat in their second innings where they scored 314/6 in which Renshaw scored 82 runs. At the end of Day 4, South Africa were reeling at 102/4 where Aiden Markram remained unbeaten at 45 and in the non-striker’s end Mulder held the fort, scoring five runs.