Steve Smith arrived in Dubai after expressing fears that his elbow injury might require surgery. The injury has delayed integration with the Australia Test squad ahead of a smooth entry into a training camp before next week’s eagerly awaited first Test against Sri Lanka. Recently, the 35-year-old cricketer has gone for some scans and has been spotted sporting an elbow brace after sustaining an injury while fielding for the Sydney Sixers during a rain-affected Big Bash League match against the Sydney Thunder.

Smith’s Elbow Injury

Smith has had a history with this elbow. He has been operated on previously for the same joint following an injury fielding and successfully returned to cricket in 2019. So he’s not entirely perturbed about being ready to lead Australia into the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, insisting a “little bit of tape” will suffice to enable him to play despite the discomfort.

Steve Smith Explains About His Injury

“I caught Davey (Warner) over the boundary and lobbed it back into the field, then threw that ball back in quite hard. Straight away I thought, ‘oh jeez, that hurt’.”

“In terms of batting, I’m pretty comfortable I’ll be able to get into it and play with some tape on it,” he added.

Smith Feeling A Little Better But Will He Be Available?

“It’s feeling a lot better than it was a few days ago,” Smith remarked. “I’ve got all my movement back; my hyperextension is back, which is good. I’m pretty much ready to get into some batting. Initially, it will start light, my first session back I won’t do too much in terms of expansive play.

“I’ll probably be batting with some tape on it just to limit me getting into proper hyperextension, which I actually did throughout 2019 when I came back in the IPL and in the World Cup. I had tape on it then to stop me getting into the really end range (of hyperextension with my right arm). I managed fine through that and I’m pretty confident it will be right.”