Steve Smith expected to return for New Zealand Tests as Andrew McDonald breaks silence on injury concern

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has backed veteran batter Steve Smith to return for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. McDonald remains optimistic about the 37-year-old's future in the longest format despite Steve Smith's late withdrawal from the series decider against South Africa due to a neck injury.South Africa secured a 176-run victory in the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town to win the series 2-1. They moved above Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 st

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