Smith Cleared of Serious Neck Injury, Set for New Zealand Tests
Photo: Naparazzi / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) — Steve Smith in 2014
Australia batter Steve Smith has been cleared of serious neck damage after scans, with Cricket Australia expecting him to be fit for the home Test series against New Zealand.
Smith was ruled out of the third and deciding Test against South Africa in Cape Town after a sore neck that began during the second Test in Gqeberha left him unable to move freely.
Scans confirmed an injury to a cervical facet joint in his neck, and he will keep receiving treatment and rehabilitation.
The first Test against New Zealand starts on 9 December at Perth Stadium, giving Smith around six weeks to be ready.
Cameron Green batted at number four in Smith's place in the Cape Town decider.
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