Australian skipper Steve Smith was struck on hind hand in an accident in the MCG nest ahead of the fourth Ashes Test, but he has been cleared out.

Smith was standing at the back of the nets when he was hit by a stray ball from a Cameron Bancroft shot that bounced off the net structure and struck Smith on the right hand. The captain removed his glove and spoke with team medical staff as Bancroft came to check on his welfare.

After some time, Steve was seen putting in his gloves back and returned to the nets to test out his hand. He faced about nine deliveries in total before leaving the net area.

But his deputy David Warner brushed off any suggestions that Smith was in doubt for the fourth Test, despite his typically animated reaction. He said, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him. He’s fine. You’ve seen his reactions out in the middle every time something happens. He’s a very fidgety character. He was just confused how it got there. I think we all were. I think it hit the top of the rail and flicked up.”

Batting in the MCG nets has proved to be a dangerous affair in recent past. In 2014, Warner was one of four Australian cricketers struck on the body before and during the Boxing Day Test against India.

Here is the video: