Australia confident Steve Smith will be fit for second Test’s final day

The ICC reported that Australia are confident star batter Steve Smith will be fit for the final day of the second Test in Gqeberha. The tourists are trying to salvage a draw, but Smith did not bat late on the fourth day as he dealt with neck stiffness.

Australia had reached 156/4 at stumps in their second innings after following on, having been dismissed for 99 in the first innings. Smith had top-scored with 28 in that first innings, passing 11,000 Test runs, but appeared uncomfortable after a Kagiso Rabada delivery jolted his neck.

Smith was later seen in the change room with a cushion around his neck during Australia’s second innings. Coach Andrew McDonald expressed optimism about the 37-year-old and expected him to be available on the fifth day.

McDonald said the team had hoped to get through the batting unit before assessing whether Smith was better placed to play the next day. He said the physio had been working on Smith and expected him to bat, adding that the issue would not rule him out but needed more time than expected.