‘That has made a big difference’ - Steve Smith credits cortisone injections for improvement in wrist injury

Star Australian batter Steve Smith is well on his way to making his return from the wrist tendon injury that he sustained during the Ashes 2023. Notably, Smith picked up the injury while playing in the Lord’s Test of the Ashes and got sidelined. Thereafter, he tried to wear a splint but it did not yield good results.

As a result, Steve Smith decided to opt for cortisone injections to solve his injury woes. The injections made a huge difference, as Smith could return to net practice. The veteran will finally be taking the flight to India to play against the hosts in a bid to give the final touches to his preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.

"I was in a brace for a couple of weeks, just trying to limit the movement, which once I got that off it hadn't really made a big difference to be honest, Then I got a cortisone in it last Thursday, and that has made a big difference. So I've had a couple of sessions back batting now and it feels pretty normal," Smith told Nine Newspapers.

I inside-edged a couple of balls and my bat turned sharp, and that was hurting before: Smith

Furthermore, Smith opined that ever since he has used the cortisone injections, He has been able to bat pain-free, and the injections have worked wonders for him. he recalled the net sessions where after inside edging a few deliveries led to the bat turning sharply in the wrists but it used to pain. But having those injections has certainly encouraged him to play his natural game more than ever.

"I inside-edged a couple of balls in the nets the other day and my bat turned sharp, and I was like 'oh, that was hurting before' and it wasn't hurting anymore, So that's a real positive, and I feel as though I can play all my shots and there's no pain at all," Steve Smith said.

Steve Smith’s return to the pitch could be especially good news for Australia. As with the injury concerns rising around Travis Head, Smith could come in at No. 3 to fill the void. Talking of the same, Smith opined that the higher up he bats in ODI cricket, the better.

"I think I average 55 at three, or something like that, so it's definitely my preferred spot. But I'll do whatever the team needs, white-ball cricket. You'd love to bat as high as you can, so we'll see what they want to do."

 Australia will begin their World Cup campaign on October 8 as they take on the hosts, India, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai.