Australia's Steve Smith Injured, Ruled Out of WTC Final, Doubtful for West Indies Tour

Australia’s star batter Steve Smith suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger during Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s, forcing him to leave the field and be taken to hospital for scans and further treatment. The injury occurred when Smith, fielding close to the batsman in the slip cordon with a helmet on, attempted to catch an edge off South Africa captain Temba Bavuma but was hit hard on his finger. This injury not only ruled Smith out for the remainder of the final but also casts doubt on his participation in Australia’s upcoming three-Test series against the West Indies. Smith’s absence is a significant blow to Australia, as he has been one of their most dependable batters, scoring four centuries in his last six Tests. The dropped catch proved costly as Bavuma, despite hamstring issues, went on to score 67, helping South Africa gain a dominant position in the match. Assistant coach Daniel Vettori described the injury as serious, and the team is awaiting a full medical report on Smith’s recovery timeline.