Steven Smith was ruled out of the third Ashes Test in dramatic circumstances on the morning of the match, with Usman Khawaja earning a surprise recall just a day after it appeared his Test career with Australia had reached an end.
Cricket Australia confirmed shortly before the start of play in Adelaide that Smith was suffering vertigo-type symptoms, an issue he has dealt with intermittently in the past. After batting in the nets during the pre-match warm-up, Smith left the ground following a discussion with coach and selector Andrew McDonald.
Smith had missed training on Monday due to illness but had trained at Adelaide Oval on Sunday before joining teammates for a round of golf at Kooyonga later that day. He returned to training on Tuesday and was first to bat in the nets, though he appeared below full fitness and was also struck in the groin during the session, forcing a lengthy pause.
“Over the past few days he has been feeling unwell, with symptoms including nausea and dizziness,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.
“He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play. However, given the persistence of symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed.
“He is being treated for a potential vestibular issue. This is something Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly. He is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.”
Pat Cummins, who resumed the captaincy after Smith led the first two Tests, confirmed the late change after winning the toss.
“Steve’s been feeling a bit unwell the last couple of days,” Cummins said. “He gave it a crack this morning but didn’t think he was going to get up for this one, so he’s headed off home. We’re pretty lucky to have someone like Usman who can step straight in. He’ll bat at No. 4.”
Khawaja’s recall came despite Australia initially deciding against selecting him after he returned to full fitness from a back injury. The success of the Travis Head–Jake Weatherald opening partnership in the first two Tests had seemingly closed the door, and even with Smith’s late withdrawal, selectors opted to keep the pair at the top of the order. Khawaja slots in at No. 4, with the rest of the line-up unchanged.
The role is a familiar one for Khawaja at domestic level, though he has batted at No. 4 only twice in Test cricket — including in the first innings of the Perth Test when back spasms prevented him from opening. In first-class cricket, it has been his preferred position, where he averages 53.15 with ten centuries.
Khawaja will turn 39 on Thursday, becoming the first 39-year-old to represent Australia in Test cricket in four decades.
For Smith, the setback continues a recent pattern of interrupted availability. He has now missed two of Australia’s last six Tests due to injury or illness, having also sat out the opening Test of the West Indies tour in June with a finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship final. Before that, his last Test absence came during the 2019 Ashes, when concussion ruled him out of the third Test.
While Smith has experienced vertigo episodes in recent years, none had previously forced him out of a Test match — making his last-minute withdrawal in Adelaide all the more extraordinary.
