Australia versus South Africa LIVE: Selection shock as injury forces Steve Smith out of the third Test

Steve Smith’s status looks to be fit to play but definitely not 100 per cent as Pat Cummins flagged on match eve. He warmed up in the Newlands nets with a heat patch on his neck, providing some idea of the discomfort and tightness he is still feeling there.

Cummins also had this to say about Smith’s tour and attitude.

“In the last couple of years, probably particularly the last 12 months, it feels like he’s in a really good place, and he’s enjoying his cricket, and he’s getting himself out, and whether it was playing golf or going for coffee club every morning with Marnus and Kez and a few of the guys. So I think he’s in a really good place,” Cummins said.

“That knock on in the first Test, I think it knocked him around for a couple of hours, but then straight away next morning he was back to his normal self and out there. So don’t really want to speak for him because it’s probably only he who can answer that.

“But from all my conversations, he’s been great. He’s been super invested in what’s going on. Very helpful for me out there in the middle. So yeah, he’s been good.”

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This is what they revealed on match eve in Cape Town:

Steve Smith’s status looks to be fit to play but definitely not 100 per cent as Pat Cummins flagged on match eve. He warmed up in the Newlands nets with a heat patch on his neck, providing some idea of the discomfort and tightness he is still feeling there.

Cummins also had this to say about Smith’s tour and attitude.

“In the last couple of years, probably particularly the last 12 months, it feels like he’s in a really good place, and he’s enjoying his cricket, and he’s getting himself out, and whether it was playing golf or going for coffee club every morning with Marnus and Kez and a few of the guys. So I think he’s in a really good place,” Cummins said.

“That knock on in the first Test, I think it knocked him around for a couple of hours, but then straight away next morning he was back to his normal self and out there. So don’t really want to speak for him because it’s probably only he who can answer that.

“But from all my conversations, he’s been great. He’s been super invested in what’s going on. Very helpful for me out there in the middle. So yeah, he’s been good.”

Daniel Brettig’s latest report from Cape Town:

Marnus Labuschagne is set to play in the Newlands Test and Steve Smith has been challenged to push through a neck injury as selectors also ponder the inclusion of Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon for a showdown game against South Africa with the world No.1 ranking at stake.

Lyon would return at the expense of Scott Boland, while Beau Webster would be jettisoned for Connolly, who would be a nod to the future.

While Nic Maddinson has already been dropped and is with Sam Harper on his way home to the Sheffield Shield, Smith batted comfortably enough for around 35 minutes, but then needed a brief break to stretch his neck, before returning for another five minutes.

Here’s something we prepared earlier: A thorough video featuring Dan Brettig and Adam Collins on the ground in Cape Town.

Good evening, everyone. The time has arrived – the deciding match of a compelling Test series between South Africa and Australia is barely an hour away from starting in Cape Town – the visitors’ first Test there since Sandpapergate. Strap yourself in for all the action.

I’m in the chair, working from my bureau in Melbourne’s southern suburbs, for the day one action – complete with valuable contributions from colleague Daniel Brettig on the ground in South Africa.