Steve Smith avoids surgery after finger injury, reveals recovery timeline

After sustaining a finger injury during the ICC World Test Championship Final, Australia's top batsman, Steve Smith, has given a positive update, stating that surgery is not necessary and estimating how long it would take him to recover from it. On the third day of Australia's loss to South Africa at Lord's, Smith was fielding in the slips when he suffered a serious dislocation of his right little finger.

The injury happened when the 36-year-old tried a quick catch from Temba Bavuma, and he was transported to the hospital right away. Smith has been lucky to escape surgery despite the injury's excruciating severity. An ice pack was applied to the wound, stitches were placed, and a splint was applied to the finger. Even though the initial concern was considerable, the prognosis is more optimistic than initially anticipated. 

Steve Smith stated that he would be in a splint for eight weeks, but he might be able to resume batting sooner based on his level of comfort and functionality. "I will be in a splint for eight weeks now and I may be able to play with it in a couple of weeks," Smith revealed after Australia's five-wicket loss to the Proteas at Lord's. "It will depend on my functionality and what I can do, so it was probably the best result I could have hoped for."

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Steve Smith likely to miss West Indies series

Smith, wearing a helmet to shield himself from the unpredictable bounce at Lord's, stood abnormally near to the batter, causing the injury in the slip cordon. He acknowledged that the drop and the resulting injury were mostly caused by visibility and angle. Smith will have to wear the splint for up to eight weeks, even though the skin should recover in two weeks. His capacity to control the protective support will determine if he can resume batting. 

He has not yet been ruled out of playing in Australia's forthcoming three-match Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, but his participation is still up in the air. Smith has had many dramatic experiences at Lord's, a place where the veteran batter has seen both highs and lows. This most recent defeat adds to those experiences. Australia will keep a tight eye on Smith's recuperation as they get ready for their Caribbean Test visit. His ability to participate is currently dependent on how quickly he can regain use of his right hand.

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