Steve Smith makes concerning admission ahead of opening Sri Lanka Test as stand-in Australia skipper reveals why he'll be relying on team-mates for help
Steve Smith makes concerning admission ahead of opening Sri Lanka Test as stand-in Australia skipper reveals why he'll be relying on team-mates for help
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Steve Smith is set to take the captaincy reins from Pat Cummins this week but has made a worrying claim fitness over his own fitness, revealing that he is hoping his team-mates can cover him in the field. Australia square off against Sri Lanka in the opening Test of their three-match series in Galle on Wednesday and the stand-in captain revealed that he has still not 'thrown a ball' in training as he battles back from an elbow injury.
![[The good news is that Smith is still expecting to be available for the opening match and has been in the nets batting comfortably after recovering from an elbow injury]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/11/94592201-14333321-image-a-21_1738064376077.jpg)
The good news is that Smith has been batting in the nets and is expecting to play on Wednesday in the first Test, after scans cleared the 35-year-old New South Wales batter of any serious issues. But speaking to reporters in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, the Australian cricketer admitted: 'I'm not throwing yet.
![[Smith joked that he would have to rely on some of his team-mates to help him field at the boundary but added he'll likely be parked in the slips for the first Test]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/11/94592225-14333321-image-a-22_1738064415904.jpg)
'That's something we will probably build up over the next little bit. 'I haven't thrown a ball yet, but fortunately, in this part of the world, I'm probably gonna be parked in the slips for the entire time. Steve Smith revealed on Tuesday that he is yet to throw a ball in training ahead of Australia's opening Test against Sri Lanka this week.
![[Smith can also finally join an exclusive club of Australian crickters who have amassed 10,000 Test runs, with the Aussie having struck 9,999 during his career]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/11/94592213-14333321-image-a-23_1738064464031.jpg)
The good news is that Smith is still expecting to be available for the opening match and has been in the nets batting comfortably after recovering from an elbow injury. Smith joked that he would have to rely on some of his team-mates to help him field at the boundary but added he'll likely be parked in the slips for the first Test.
![[Sam Konstas, who impressed as opener in his debut series against India, looks set to lose his spot at the top of Australia's batting order]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/11/94586681-14333321-Konstas_who_impressed_as_opener_in_his_debut_series_against_Indi-a-24_1738064934352.jpg)
'If I have to chase one to the boundary, hopefully, one of my mates comes with me.'. Pictures of Smith, 35, wearing a brace on his elbow had gone viral in recent weeks and raised concerns over whether he'd be able to lead the Baggy Greens during this summer's tour to the subcontinent.
![[Travis Head was the leading scorer as Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade following their 3-1 series victory earlier this month]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/11/94586685-14333321-Head_was_the_leading_scorer_as_Australia_reclaimed_the_Border_Ga-a-25_1738064976433.jpg)
