SL vs AUS: Steve Smith confirmed for the first Test, Mitchell Starc doubtful

Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith has regained fitness ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, star pacer Mitchell Starc needs to go through a net session before confirming his availability for the match starting on June 29 at the Galle.

Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka started with a bang as they went on to win the T20I series. The visitors were also looking for favorites to clinch the ODI series. However, they received a reality check as the home side went on to win the series by a margin of 3-2. With the white-ball series settling in a draw, the visitors will want to end their tour on a high note by wining the two-match Test series.

There’s not a heap of hard running, so I will be fine: Steve Smith

“If we were still playing one-day cricket I would be touch and go, but in Test cricket, I will be fine. Test cricket is a bit easier (on the quad). I field in the slips, won’t be doing a great deal of running around in the field. And then in these conditions, there’s not a lot of hard running. They usually have a few sweepers and it’s four or one quite often. So there’s not a heap of hard running.” Smith was quoted as saying by AAP.

Meanwhile, Starc said that if the seam of the ball was to reopen his finger injury during the training session then he won’t play.

“I like my standard preparations. As cautious as that would be, I want to get the work done. We have tried to give it as long as we could because it is in probably the worst spot. It’s where the ball comes off last,” said the left-arm pacer.

Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is also waiting to make his comeback in the Test arena. He replaced left-handed batter Travis Head in the Test squad after the latter sustained a hamstring strain.