AUS vs SL T20I series: Steve Smith suffers a concussion, will miss the rest of the Series

What comes as a major shock for Australia is that their star all-rounder Steve Smith has been ruled out of the remaining T20I series against Sri Lanka after suffering a concussion while doing fielding in Sunday’s Super Over thriller at the SCG.

AUS vs SL T20I Series

After the match, Cricket Australia confirmed that Steve Smith had suffered a concussion after landing on his head following a spectacular diving attempt to save a six in the final over of the second innings. He will be subjected to low-level concussion protocols over the next few days & is expected to recover fully within a week. He will not be available to play in the final three T20I matches in Canberra & Melbourne. CA confirmed that there were no plans to add a replacement player to the squad at this stage.

Steve Smith was fielding at deep midwicket in the final over of Sri Lanka’s chase when Maheesh Theekshana smashed Marcus Stoinis’s delivery in Steve’s direction. Steve dived full length back & to his right to catch the ball & flick it back infield in the single motion but his extension was as such that he couldn’t brace himself as he hit the ground & his head thumped into the turf.

He was seen in discomfort & the medical staff rushed to his rescue immediately. He was able to get up and walk around the boundary without assistance but he did not field for the final two balls of the innings or during the Super Over. To put Smith’s efforts in vain the third umpire awarded Sri Lanka six runs even though he didn’t touch the ground when he made contact with the ball as he flicked it back in, his right foot had touched the rope as he initially launched off the ground.

Meanwhile, Smith’s teammate, Hazlewood who was the Player of the Match for his performance with the ball, confirmed Smith’s concussion is fine despite the initial concerns. “When anyone dives and doesn’t get up straight away, it’s always a bit of concern,” Hazlewood said. “It’s good to see him walking around now. He made his way off the field and he’s walking around changing now. So early signs are good.”

Talking about the second T20I, Australia was at their best in the Super over Thriller as they took a 2-0 lead in the AUS vs SL T20I series. The third T20I of the five-match T20I series will be played on February 15 in Canberra.