Star batter Steve Smith has avoided surgery after suffering a "gruesome" compound dislocation but is almost certain to miss Australia's first Test against the West Indies.
Smith's availability for the upcoming three-match series in the Caribbean, starting in Barbados on June 25, remains in major doubt.
"I'd say first Test maybe unlikely, and then go from there, but it's bit early just to tell," Australia captain Pat Cummins said after the shock World Test Championship final loss against South Africa on Saturday.
