SM
Greece vs. England: 16 hrs 15 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Smith could be doubt for Ashes because of elbow surgery

:Headline: Smith could be doubt for Ashes because of elbow surgery: ID:346619: from db_amp
The former Australia captain's 12-month ban is set to end on March 28.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith's participation in the Ashes could be in doubt as he needs elbow surgery.

Smith's 12-month ban following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal is set to end on March 28.

The 29-year-old could have found himself back in contention for the baggy green again ahead of the World Cup and the Ashes, which are both to be staged in England.

However, following the ligament problem in his right elbow which forced him to stop playing for the Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League, it remains to be seen how much recovery time the 29-year-old will now face.

Cricket Australia revealed Smith is set to undergo surgery on January 15, and is expected to be in a brace for around six weeks, followed by a period of rehabilitation.

"Return to play timeframes will be clearer once the brace has been removed," a spokesperson for Cricket Australia said.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith is facing a spell out through injury (Jason O'Brien/PA)

Smith's ban applies to international and domestic cricket, but he has featured in T20 leagues in Canada and the Caribbean.

The former Australia captain had spoken of the "dark days" which followed the fall-out from the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Cameron Bancroft's attempt to manipulate the ball with what was later revealed to be sandpaper was a plan orchestrated, according to a Cricket Australia investigation, by vice-captain David Warner.

Smith will see his ban end ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup and Ashes series (Jason O'Brien/PA)

Smith was found to have known about the plan midway through the third Test against the Proteas in Cape Town in March but failed to prevent it and, as such, all three players received lengthy suspensions.

The former captain, who is unable to hold a leadership position until 2020, had talked about the possibility of a return to international action for Australia in England, adding he would be ready to face the "incredibly hostile" home crowd if he were back in the fold.

The 2019 World Cup opens with hosts England against South Africa at The Oval on May 30. Australia are scheduled to play their first group match against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1.

amp_article__346619 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-12 18:35:35:
html db last update - 2019-01-12 18:35:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Steve Smith

Click here for more stories about Australia

Share this article now:
Read more about Steve Smith Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .