ADELAIDE: Steve Smith was ruled out due to an inner ear issue only twenty minutes before the toss, thus Australia received a major blow before the third Ashes Test.
Cricket Australia announced that Smith did not pass the very late fitness test as he had discomfort in his ear. Therefore, he had to quit the ground not long before the start of the play.
Usman Khawaja was hurriedly brought back to the XI to respond to the abrupt change from the last moment. He substituted for Smith in the lineup and ascended to number four in the batting order.
During the toss, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins stated that Smith had tried to show that he was fit enough to play but the captain himself had told Smith that he was too unwell to go out on the field. Cummins also mentioned that they were fortunate to have such an old hand as Khawaja who was ready to step in at very short notice.
Australia are still leading the Ashes series 2–0 after the first two matches of the five-match series.
Fans disappointed as Babar Azam scores just 9 in Sydney Sixers’ loss
Once again, Babar Azam, has not been able to deliver a BBL win for his side by himself as the Sydney Sixers, who are his team, went down to the Adelaide Strikers in a thrilling last-over finish by just a small margin.
He was caught short mid-wicket off a ball from Matthew Short, although the Sixers had already put up a score of 159 runs batting first.
Adelaide Strikers made the run chase successfully in the last over, thus winning the match by four wickets. Pakistani players including Shaheen Afridi, have a poor performance in the beginning of the tournament, and Afridi was even removed from bowling during his very first over in the first match.
The match saw the Pakistani batsman Babar Azam encountering the Australian supporters present at the venue who were showing their dislike for him and cursing him, a moment that was witnessed by a lot and instantly shared on multiple social media platforms.
The BBL series will have as its third match on December 20 the confrontation between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder. The city rivalry will take place at the ENGEI venue in Sydney. A lot of fans are betting on Babar Azam to return really strong in the next match.
