Pat Cummins is in contention for a sensational return to Australia's playing XI for the second Test against England at the Gabba, with selectors set to take a final call on Wednesday afternoon following a further inspection at the pitch
Steven Smith could follow former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul's style of sporting 'eye black' strips on his cheeks during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Australia swashbuckler Travis Head will remain unavailable for the final two matches of the five-match series to prepare for the Ashes, scheduled to begin on November 21, while representing South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Now, it seems increasingly likely that he'll keep his spot even though Lyon is expected to return for the opening Test against England in Perth. Captain Pat Cummins admitted that it's "less likely than likely" he'll be fit to recover slowly from a back injury.
Steven Smith is likely to play a few matches for Washington Freedom in the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, in the short gap between Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa and their tour of the West Indies, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Australia was already dealing with significant setbacks following the injuries to Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh. Starc's withdrawal further depletes their frontline pace attack for the tournament, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.
Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith is looking to put the 10,000 Test runs milestone out of his head in the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka.
Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith advised his teammates, who hold minimal experience in the sub-continent to be "proactive" against Sri Lankan spinners in Galle.
Ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, Australia stand-in skipper Steven Smith suffered an elbow injury during the washout clash between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League 2025 season on Friday.
Steven Smith, who is set to return to captaincy in Australia's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, is viewing it as a prospect to disseminate his knowledge of the sub-continent.