Steve Smith missed the final Test in South Africa, 2026 | PC- AFP
The recently concluded tour of South Africa has taken much more from Australia than it has given. Not only did they lose the series 1-2 despite an early lead, but their mighty batting was also heavily exposed.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, two of their senior-most batters, were badly out of touch in the three-match Test series, failing to register even a solitary half-century.
Has Steve Smith's withdrawal from Cape Town Test caused a rift with Australian players?
Steve Smith, still Australia’s best batter at 37, played two Test matches, scoring 86 runs across four innings, before missing the Cape Town Test due to a neck injury.
After the match, the head coach, Andrew McDonald, revealed that Smith opted out of the third Test but was looking to play the match with painkillers.
However, according to a report by Code Sports, Smith’s last-minute withdrawal was questioned in the Australian dressing room, prompting the modern-day great to head to New York as soon as the Test match ended. Notably, the report also hinted at a rift between Smith and his teammates.
"Smith has headed back to New York apparently chastened by teammates raising eyebrows at his withdrawal from the final Test against South Africa in Cape Town with a neck injury," a report by Code Sports stated.
South Africa series could brings curtains down for Steve Smith, Labuschagne
Australia made as many as four changes to their playing XI against South Africa for the final Test.
Josh Inglis and Cameron Green were slotted in Steve Smith's absence, with the two batters scoring a century and fifty during Australia's first innings.
However, the under-experienced line-up failed to leave a mark in the 288-run chase, folding for a nelson.
With Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne starting to look vulnerable, the selectors may have to make tough decisions about the duo. The inclusion of players like Sam Harper and Nic Maddinson could be seen as a hint of a transition phase.
Nevertheless, Australia's next Test assignment is against New Zealand at home, starting on December 9 at Perth.
