Veteran Australia batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the rest of the T20I series against Sri Lanka with a concussion. As per Cricket Australia, Smith will be subjected to low level protocols for the upcoming few days and his full recovery is expected in 6-7 days as well.
However, Smith has sustained the injury to his head while trying to save a maximum in the final over of a nail-biting chase. While trying to stop the six, he put in a full-length dive of a hit from Maheesh Theekshana near the midwicket boundary rope. But he landed on his head and his foot too touched the ropes as well. And a six and a four off the last ball helped Sri Lanka to take the game into the Super Over as well.
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Steve Smith, who was seen lying on the floor, got up on his feet after a while, and he eventually left the ground as he saw the umpire signalling a six as well. Australia had the upperhand in the Super Over and took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series as well. The third T20I will take place on February 15 in Canberra.
Steve Smith putting his body on the line! 💪
The Australian manages to walk away after a hard knock on the head while fielding.
He's just disappointed the six was awarded! 😅#AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/3PQihB5yNn
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 13, 2022
Josh Hazlewood, who claimed 3 for 22, earned the Player Of The Match award. He said: “It’s exciting more than anything (bowling the Super Over). Once you see who’s come out, just have a nice clear plan and execute. Playing consecutive games over and over, tournaments like IPL, you learn a lot. Feeling nice and confident at the moment.”
Aaron Finch, Australia captain said: “Great to get the win. Pretty sloppy there. Might’ve got away with the win. Based on how well Josh bowled towards the back of the game (Super Over options?). Zampa was confident in Zampa to do the job. We bowled some great overs, bowled some poor overs. Fielding was pretty poor. The pitch got better towards the end as the dew came in. Happy with the totals we’ve got. We’ll tinker around. One of the bowlers will rest.”
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Danus Shanaka, the Sri Lanka captain said: “It was a thrillier. At the start we bowled well, but gave 10 runs extra. In the second phase we lost too many wickets early on. He’s a world class player (Nissanka). Oh that was top-class from Hazlewood to seal it for Australia in the Super Over. Gave away just five runs, and Australia got those comfortably with Hasaranga offering three loose deliveries in a row. It was a commendable effort from Sri Lanka to take it to the tiebreaker. They were lagging behind for most of the chase and left it really late, with Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka playing superbly.”
