Smith ruled out of Cape Town Test with neck injury, return eyed for New Zealand series in December

Australia may have to wait until December for Steve Smith's return, when they host New Zealand in a Test series. A scan of Smith's injury showed a "cervical facet joint" injury, an injury to the spine. It has ruled the experienced batter out of the deciding Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Smith began to feel pain in his neck on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha last week. The discomfort persisted. He felt pain when he moved his neck too much and had to pull out of the third Test, which began on Tuesday. A medical examination later established the cause of the injury and how long it would take to heal.

Cricket Australia said the 37-year-old will not be available for selection until the forthcoming home series. His treatment and rehabilitation will continue in the meantime. In a statement, Cricket Australia said Steve injured his neck on the fourth day of the second Test in Gqeberha last week.

According to the statement, he underwent an MRI scan and the injury was found to relate to the "cervical facet joint". Because of this injury and the restriction in his neck movement, he is not fit to play. Steve's treatment and rehabilitation will continue. He is expected to return fully fit for the forthcoming home Test series against New Zealand.

Smith's absence opened the way for Josh Inglis to return to the Test side, and he made full use of the chance on Wednesday. Batting under pressure after Australia lost two wickets early, Inglis made an unbeaten 85. His innings helped the visitors reach 330/4 and take a narrow first-innings lead of one run over South Africa.

This is Inglis's first Test since the last match of the Ashes series last year. Teammate Matthew Renshaw praised him for his ability to settle in quickly and handle pressure. Renshaw said the left-hander did exactly what Australia needed at that moment.

"He is a very talented player. We have seen him do this many times in white-ball formats (ODIs and T20s)," Renshaw said. "When we went out to bat today there was a bit of pressure on us, because we had lost two wickets early. The way he batted in that situation was very positive. It was an innings entirely in his style."