Steve Smith ruled out of third Ashes Test against England through illness, superstar batter replaced by Usman Khawaja
Updated 16/12/2025 at 23:38 GMT
Steve Smith will miss the third Ashes Test for Australia against England. It was confirmed shortly before play on Day 1 that Australia's vice-captain has suffered with illness and is reportedly suffering from concussion, and will be replaced by Usman Khawaja. Australia lead England 2-0 heading into the third Test at the Adelaide Oval. Watch the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third NRMA Insurance men's Ashes Test against England, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Smith, the former captain of the Australian national team across all three formats and now the Test vice-captain, was seen leaving the Adelaide Oval with his backpack just before the opening day of the third Test as the toss got underway.
It was confirmed that Australia would bat first, with returning skipper Pat Cummins revealing that Usman Khawaja has replaced Smith in the batting line-up.
"Steve's been feeling a little unwell over the last few days," he said.
"He came in and gave it a crack this morning, but we didn't think he was going to get up for this one, so he's headed off home."
He added: "We're pretty lucky we've got someone like Usman coming in. Uzzy will bat at four."
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"It's disappointing for him," Steven Finn told TNT Sports ahead of the action.
"He loves playing in these situations, but it's a good thing for England not to have to bowl at one of the best batters in the world, an Ashes nemesis of the last 10 to 15 years of England, who isn't going to be involved in this game."
Fellow TNT Sports expert Graeme Swann said: "Steve Smith walking off the field, England would have seen that.
"The bowlers will know that they don't have to deal with him now, and like you say, a nemesis for 10, 15 years. It's a massive bit of news for England."
Smith ended the second Test as the central character of the piece, taking three catches to see off England before taking Australia to victory with the bat. He also enjoyed a spicy exchange with England bowler Jofra Archer.
"All of the things that could have fallen into England's favour this series have done so far," Finn added. "No [Josh] Hazelwood, no Cummins, no [Nathan] Lyon in the second Test.
"It's another thing that's fallen into their lap that they have to make the most of."
Swann gave the news of Smith’s absence from the bowlers’ perspective.
"Straight away, it gives the bowlers a little extra boost of confidence; they don't have to worry about getting him out.
"Maybe that little spell from Jofra Archer did do its trick before the end of the Brisbane Test, you never know!"
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It is a huge Test for England, who trail Australia 2-0 and will have to win the third Test if they are to have any chance of salvaging the series and win their first Ashes Test Down Under since 2011.
"It’s now or never, isn’t it?" Finn explained.
"They’re 2-0 down, there’s three to play, the equation is very simple. They have to win all three to regain the Ashes. It simplifies your mind, simplifies your thought process.
"If you have an opportunity to push the game forward and get your team into a winning position, don’t throw it away. That’s what they have done throughout this series so far. They’ve been in good positions, but thrown it away at critical moments."
Thoughts?
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