NEW DELHI: If Steve Smith is unable to play in the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka because of an elbow injury sustained in the Big Bash League (BBL), former opener David Warner has endorsed Travis Head to be Australia’s next Test captain.
After Pat Cummins was unavailable due to left ankle pain and the birth of his second child, Smith was selected as Australia’s Test captain for the Sri Lanka tour.
However, Smith hurt his right elbow throwing on the field for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League on Friday, according to a statement released by Cricket Australia (CA) on Sunday.
After consulting with a physician, Smith, who was seen sporting an elbow brace, has not yet joined the Australian pre-tour camp at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
Warner anticipates that Head, who was selected vice-captain for the Sri Lanka tour, will become Australia’s 48th Test captain if Smith is unable to play in the opening Test in Galle.
“I don’t think he’d say much. He’ll just make changes when he feels like it, he’ll be fine. He’s done the job for South Australia for a long time as well. He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Warner was quoted as saying by The Australian.
Additionally, he believed that if Smith, who bats at number four, is unavailable for the whole of the tour, it will be a severe setback to Australia. “Obviously, that’s a big blow if he potentially misses the Sri Lanka tour, but I think he’ll be able to get through it.”
Australia will play Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series that starts on January 29 in Galle. The second match will start on February 6 at the same venue. Two ODIs in Colombo on February 12 and 14, respectively, are next.
