Cummins delays Smith decision ahead of South Africa series decider

Pat Cummins says Australia will wait for the final fitness check before naming Steve Smith for the series-deciding Test that starts Tuesday at Newlands. The batter hurt his neck during South Africa’s innings-and-31-run win in Gqeberha that squared the series at 1-1.

Cummins added that Cameron Green is set to slot in “preferably in the middle order,” leaving Matt Renshaw to open alongside Travis Head once Nic Maddinson was omitted. Smith has scored a little over 20 on average in his four innings so far.

The captain confirmed the neck issue followed a blow to the head suffered in the first Test.