There’s an air of mystery surrounding Steve Smith.
The 37-year-old struggled with a neck injury in the second Test, but all signs pointed towards him taking his place for the series finale.
But when the team was unveiled by skipper Pat Cummins on Tuesday night (AEDT), Smith wasn’t there and it forced more changes to the side.
News Corp reported after the toss that Smith made the call to withdraw himself from the XI, despite physios clearing him to face the Proteas.
SEN’s Gerard Whateley believes the vice-captain’s decision didn’t go down well with Cummins, who opted to win the toss and bowl in Cape Town.
“Australia expected Smith to play, and then he couldn’t get up, or he didn’t get up. He made the decision not to play,” Whately said.
“I reckon it was a bit undisguised in what Pat Cummins said at the toss. I think in a pique of anger, he went ‘bugger it’. He doesn’t believe in the batting group, there’s enough evidence of that … and he thought we [bowling group] will handle it.”
Steve Smith on the final day of the second Test. Getty Images