‘We are planning for him to play’ - Andrew McDonald provides Steve Smith's fitness update ahead of NZ Tests

Australia's Test series against South Africa ended in a 2–1 defeat at Newlands in Cape Town on November 1. The home side won the third Test by 176 runs, dismissing the touring batsmen for 111 in the second innings while chasing 288. Spinner Simon Harmer claimed six wickets in that collapse. Despite the series loss and the batting struggles that defined the tour, Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald remained focused on the positives within the squad.

McDonald addressed the series outcome and the state of the batting unit in the aftermath. He acknowledged the quality of the players in the squad and highlighted specific improvements made during the tour, even as Australia fell short of retaining the series. The coach emphasised that the batting group had strengthened its position despite the overall series result.

"It's still a very good cricket team with a lot of very good players in there, and some … (who) will be acknowledged as legends of the game. We've got to balance that out with who comes in, what the next decisions are. If you looked at the batting unit, I think we walk away in a stronger position (than at the start of the South Africa tour). “With Green, it was an injury that curtailed him early in the series. Inglis … he's (now) got two away Test hundreds," McDonald was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

"We know how difficult it is to play away. The challenge is always greater when you play away in foreign conditions and you get challenged in different ways. There's a reason why a lot of teams don't win on the road – it is difficult. It's not an excuse – we felt as though we're good enough to come here and win this series," he added.

What was the situation with Steve Smith's fitness for the third Test?

Steve Smith was unavailable for the series-deciding Test at Newlands after his fitness assessment proved unsuccessful. The senior batter had attempted to overcome a neck problem during the net session the day before the match, but ultimately was not ready to play.

McDonald explained the circumstances surrounding Smith's absence and the decision-making process. He noted that the medical team and Smith had given the situation every opportunity to resolve before the match began, but the outcome was clear by the following morning.

"You would have seen what we saw early in that net session the day before. It looked really positive – but you never know how you're going to pull up from that. All I'll say is the medical team and Steve gave it every chance, and that's all you can do. The next morning … he wasn't ready to play." McDonald said.

"He acknowledged that – and we do put a lot of trust into our players, in particular our senior players who know their bodies quite well. “So that decision of Steve's, I think, was the right decision. He wasn't ready to go in that scenario," he added.

Smith's fitness for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand remained a priority for the coaching staff. McDonald expressed confidence that the senior batter would be available for the first Test in Perth in December, with Shield cricket providing preparation opportunities before that fixture.

"So yes, we are planning for him to play against New Zealand, Test in Perth," McDonald said.