Why Steve Smith is not playing the Australia vs England 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide?

Steve Smith was ruled out of the third Ashes Test due to inner ear issue [Source: @TheCricketPanda/X]

Australia is currently playing the third Ashes Test at Adelaide and strikingly, their first-two match captain Steve Smith, has been ruled out of the current match. Notably, Steve Smith is suffering with an inner ear issue resulting in dizziness and nausea that sidelined him during the Test match.

On Wednesday morning, Steve Smith left the field 20 minutes prior to the toss, and Usman Khawaja was recalled to bat at No. 4. This dramatic twist shocked England and Australia Cricket fans alike as Smith was earlier named in the Australia playing XI that was announced a day before the 3rd Test.

Steve Smith suffering from dizziness since Monday

Notably, Steve Smith has suffered from nausea and dizziness symptoms ahead of this week, which ruled him out of the net sessions on Monday too.

Smith came out in the nets on Wednesday morning too to try his hand at the nets, but after discussing with coach Andrew McDonald and Cummins, Smith was sent out of the park.

"He came and gave it a crack this morning, but didn't think he was going to get up for this one, so he has headed off home. (We're) pretty lucky we got someone like Usman who can step right in," Pat Cummins said at the toss.

Notably, the Australian veteran had suffered vestibular and inner ear issues before too and was therefore not at risk to include him in the Playing XI of Australia.

Nevertheless, this marks Usman Khawaja’s return at the last moment, who was initially axed from Australia’s playing XI for the Adelaide Test.

Australia’s updated playing XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

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