Smith joins Aussie injury list

MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC):

Australia's injury woes for the upcoming Tri-Nation series in the Caribbean continued yesterday when captain Steve Smith's participation was put in doubt due to a wrist injury.

Though not considered a serious injury, Cricket Australia confirmed that Smith would return from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for treatment and monitoring ahead of the squad's departure for the June 6-26 tournament involving West Indies and South Africa.

"Steve has been struggling with pain in his right wrist for the last week during his stint in the IPL," said CA's sports medicine manager, Alex Kountouris.

"We have been working with his IPL franchise, Pune, to monitor this, and unfortunately, it has not resolved. As such, he will return home from India for further assessment and treatment ahead of the Qantas Tour of the West Indies.

"From the information we have so far, this doesn't appear to be a serious injury, but we are keen to give him the time to recover and rehabilitate before heading to the West Indies at the end of May."

Smith's injury follows those to fast bowler John Hastings, who has been ruled out of the tour, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who was also forced to return prematurely from the IPL with a side strain.

The right-handed Smith has been in great form in the IPL for Rising Pune Supergiants, stroking his maiden T20 hundred last Friday against Gujarat Lions.

His prolific form has been key to Australia's success in recent times, and he currently averages 40 from 72 ODIs.

The Tri-Nation series will be played in Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Barbados.