Australia batsman Steve Smith was ruled out of the World Test Championship final on Friday due to a right little finger injury. Smith was injured at first slip while trying to catch a ball that took the edge of South Africa captain Temba Bavuma's bat at Lord's.

On many occasions in this match, the ball was bouncing before reaching the fielder standing at slip. Smith was standing just 14 meters from the wicket wearing a helmet. Mitchell Starc bowled a 138 kmph short ball which took the outside edge of Bavuma's bat and reached Smith quickly. The ball collided with his hand and he was seen groaning in pain. He was seen going out after getting medical treatment on the field.

Smith did not return to the field even in the post-tea session. Cricket Australia (CA) said that the right-handed batsman has suffered a compound dislocation in the little finger of his right hand. CA said, 'The Australian team's medical staff evaluated him on the field and he was taken to the hospital for X-rays and further treatment. The dislocation means that Smith is doubtful to play in the Test tour against the West Indies starting in ten days. However, the relief for Australia is that Smith has batted in both the innings, in which he scored 66 and 13 runs.

On the back of a century by opener Aiden Markram (102 not out) and an unbroken 143-run partnership with captain Temba Bavuma (65 not out) for the third wicket, South Africa strengthened their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) final by scoring 213 for two at the end of the third day on Friday. Chasing 282 runs for victory, South Africa needs 69 more runs to leave behind the tag of 'chokers' and win their first ICC title in 27 years while they have eight wickets left.

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