Coach Andrew McDonald has revealed Steve Smith ultimately made the call himself not to play in the third Test in Adelaide after a ‘strange’ moment minutes before the toss of the coin. Smith was involved in some extraordinary drama ahead of the third Test when he was seen in conversation with coach McDonald and Pat Cummins.
Smith cut a clearly frustrated figure as he walked off with it later emerging he had withdrawn from the Test. At the time, vision appeared to show Cummins and the coach making the tough call for Smith suggesting he wasn’t playing the Adelaide Test.
Coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed Steve Smith (pictured) ultimately made the call not to play in the third Test in Adelaide because of his vertigo after their was debate around the scenes ahead of the first ball. (Images: Channel 7/Getty Images)
“It was strange because it looked like Smith was expecting to play,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Sports after watching the vision. “Whether he was overruled from above I don’t know. It certainly looks like he wanted to play.”
The batter walked from the ground and returned to the team hotel in surprise scenes for Australian fans on the morning of the Adelaide Test. Cricket Australia later confirmed Smith was suffering from nausea and dizziness. He was being treated for a vestibular issue, also known as ‘vertigo’ and couldn’t take part in the Test match.
However, speaking on Tuesday at the squad announcement for the fourth Test, McDonald revealed Smith did come up with the decision himself. Even if he was prompted to make the decision.
“We gave him every opportunity to get up for that. He didn’t quite make it. The conversation was more about how he was feeling, whether he felt he was capable,” McDonald said. “Because you don’t really understand or know what they are experiencing at that time. We helped him make that call, but ultimately he said he wasn’t ready to go.”
Fortunately, Usman Khawaja stepped into the batting line-up, after being excluded, and made a significant contribution. Australia went on to win the Test match and secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
Steve Smith (pictured) threw his head back after appearing to be told he wasn’t playing. Image: Channel 7
Steve Smith to captain Australia at MCG
Steve Smith will return as captain for the fourth Test with Cummins ruled out. Cummins returned from a back injury – after missing Tests Perth and Brisbane – to take six wickets and help Australia seal the Ashes in Adelaide.
Following the victory, Cummins admitted he was unlikely to back-up in Melbourne with the turnaround only five days between Tests. But in a bigger blow for Australia, Cummins will also miss the Sydney Test as well.
This leaves his place in the bowling attack free. Jhye Richardson is firming for a recall after a four year absence from Test cricket, while Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett are both in the squad. Nathan Lyon will also miss the remainder of the Ashes with Todd Murphy recalled into the squad.