Australia’s Smith dislocates finger in WTC final

LONDON: Australia´s Steve Smith was taken to hospital with a dislocated finger after dropping a catch in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord´s on Friday.

The batsman, fielding with a helmet, was standing in an unusually advanced slip position when he could not hold on to a fast-travelling edge from South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who had only made two at the time.

After on-field attention, Smith left the field -- evidently in pain -- with South Africa then 76-2 chasing 282 to win on the third day. A Cricket Australia statement said: “Steve Smith has suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger while fielding in the slip cordon during the ICC Men´s World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord´s.

“He was assessed by Australian team medical staff at the ground and taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment.” Smith has scored more than 10,000 Test runs at a superb average of more than 56.

The 36-year-old former Australia captain made a valuable 66 in the WTC title-holders´ first innings at Lord´s. His injury will be a concern to Australia ahead of their three-Test series away to the West Indies, starting in Barbados on June 25.