Aussie skipper stung by freak blow in MCG nets

Captain Steve Smith has been cleared of any injury after he was struck on the hand in a freak incident in the MCG nets ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

The skipper was standing at the back of the nets near the team equipment when he was hit by a stray ball from a Cameron Bancroft shot that ricocheted off the net structure and struck Smith on the right hand.

Smith removed his glove and spoke with team medical staff as Bancroft came to check on his welfare.

After some time, he put his gloves back on and returned to the nets to test out his hand. At one point, he quickly pulled his hand off the bat after playing a shot and swiped his bat in frustration. He faced about nine deliveries in total before leaving the net area.

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But his deputy David Warner dismissed any suggestions that Smith was in doubt for the fourth Test, despite his typically animated reaction.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with him," Warner said. "He's fine.

A special guest with @davidwarner31 at his media conference today - young Ryan had a dream day with his cricketing heroes thanks to @MakeAWishAust #Ashes pic.twitter.com/2sSAuO4EEj — Martin Smith (@martinsmith9994) December 24, 2017

"You've seen his reactions out in the middle every time something happens. He's a very fidgety character.

"He was just confused how it got there. I think we all were. I think it hit the top of the rail and flicked up."

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Smith's dominant right hand has been sore in the past week, "a hot spot from catching in the slips over the years", according to Warner. And the fact that he was struck on that exact spot seemed to be the root of Smith's frustration.

"He just said before what are the chances of getting hit on his sore hand," Warner added.

Batting in the MCG nets has proved to be a treacherous affair in recent years. In 2014, Warner was one of four Australian players struck on the body before and during the Boxing Day Test against India.

Warner was struck on the forearm, Shane Watson on the helmet, Mitchell Starc on the knee and Shaun Marsh on the thumb, although none of the injuries were serious.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

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