- Steve Smith has been ruled out of Australia 's Test series decider against South Africa in Cape Town after failing a late fitness test on a neck injury.
- The batsman had been dealing with the neck issue since the second Test in Gqeberha and was unable to bat comfortably on the morning of the match.
- Josh Inglis replaced Smith in the batting line-up, while Cameron Green , Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon were also brought back into the side.
- Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first at Newlands, with South Africa bringing in seamer Gerald Coetzee for the injured Anrich Nortje.
- The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1 in the first meeting between the two teams on South African soil since 2018.
IN FULL
Steve Smith ruled out of third Test with neck injury in huge blow for Australia
