Injury scare for Steve Smith as Australia beaten in second ODI in Sri Lanka | Australia cricket team

Australia shall be sweating on the health of Steve Smith after the star batsman appeared to tweak a leg muscle throughout their 26-run ODI loss to Sri Lanka. Chasing 216 for victory off 43 overs beneath the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern methodology on Thursday (Friday AEST), Australia have been on observe at 170-5 with Glenn Maxwell in scorching type at Pallekele.

However Maxwell’s departure for 30 off 25 balls and the run-out of Alex Carey (15) sparked a collapse of 19-5 as Australia have been bowled out for 189 in 37.1 overs. Sri Lanka had posted 220-9 in 47.4 overs earlier than a rain delay of greater than two hours halted proceedings and the house aspect’s preventing victory levelled the five-match collection at 1-1.

Sri Lanka paceman Chamika Karunaratne was the hero with 3-47, snaring the important thing scalps of Smith and Maxwell to go along with his run-out of Carey. Smith known as for medical consideration after pulling up lame whereas pushing laborious for a second run throughout Australia’s unsuccessful run chase.

The 33-year-old acquired strapping to his thigh space on his left leg, and was in a position to bat on. Smith was dismissed a couple of overs later for 28. With the two-Take a look at collection towards Sri Lanka beginning on 29 June, Australia shall be hoping Smith’s setback is nothing greater than a minor niggle.

Australia have endured a horror run with accidents in the course of the tour, with Ashton Agar (aspect), Marcus Stoinis (aspect), Sean Abbott (finger), Kane Richardson (hamstring), Mitchell Starc (finger) and Mitch Marsh (hamstring) all injured. Stoinis, Abbott and Richardson have already been despatched dwelling, whereas Agar isn’t any assure to play once more on tour.

“I’m undoubtedly not taking part in any extra of the one-dayers,” Agar mentioned. “I’ve bought a little bit of a tear in my aspect, which isn’t nice. Hopefully, possibly across the second Take a look at match [I can return], being optimistic.”

Agar’s harm had a silver lining, with debutant spinner Matthew Kuhnemann proving he shall be greater than a helpful back-up forward of subsequent yr’s ODI World Cup in India. Kuhnemann snared 2-48 off 10 overs in a formidable ODI debut, with the left-armer adapting to the situations expertly.

Mitchell Swepson struggled at instances in simply his third ODI look, ending with 1-58 off his 10 overs. Maxwell was filled with smiles on the way in which to 2-35 off 10 overs, whereas quicks Pat Cummins (4-35 off 8.4 overs) and Josh Hazlewood (0-26 off seven) have been at their spectacular greatest.

Nevertheless it was the efficiency of Kuhnemann that might have given the nationwide selectors the most important satisfaction given the necessity for spinning depth on the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“We have been on our option to get on the group bus for the Aussie A squad,” Kuhnemann defined of his call-up. “I bought a faucet on the shoulder from the selector on tour, and he advised myself and [Travis]Head to pack our luggage and get to Kandy as quickly as doable.

“It’s been fairly loopy. Fairly overwhelmed in the intervening time. I used to be so nervous. When Finchy advised me I used to be going to open the bowling alongside Josh, I didn’t know what to anticipate.”