On the third day of the World Test Championship final, Steve Smith exited the field after suffering an injury while attempting to catch a ball, which may have dislocated his finger. Australia had opted to position Smith at first slip, just in front of the wicketkeeper, due to the number of missed opportunities in the slips over the preceding days.
While wearing a helmet, Smith failed to catch an opportunity from Temba Bavuma, who was on just two runs at the time, with South Africa sitting at 2-76. Smith’s inability to react quickly enough resulted in the dropped catch, and commentators noted his proximity to the ball made the incident particularly painful and surprising. Nasser Hussain observed that it was a rare scenario to see a slip fielder so close to the action, especially while wearing a helmet.
Immediately after the drop, Smith clutched his hand, removed his helmet, and appeared to dry-heave, indicating the severity of his discomfort. Shaun Pollock commented on the situation, highlighting the awkwardness of catching the ball in such a position, particularly when obscured by a helmet, which can hinder fielders’ visibility.
Ravi Shastri remarked that the ball behaved unpredictably, taking off and arriving at Smith unexpectedly, which contributed to the catch being missed. Following the incident, Australia’s medical team promptly assisted Smith off the field, where he received further care. Sam Konstas was brought in to replace him as he made his way to the pavilion.
This incident brought attention to the dangers players face in cricket, particularly in high-pressure moments where split-second decisions can lead to significant injuries.