Australian batting star Steve Smith has revealed that he was struggling badly with vertigo-related symptoms ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, which eventually forced him to miss the match.
The 36-year-old was sidelined for the Adelaide Test — the second time he has missed a Test in Australia’s last six matches — with Usman Khawaja replacing him in the XI. Smith has since recovered and has been named in Australia’s squad for the fourth Test at Melbourne.
Speaking about the ordeal, Smith admitted he felt unwell from the moment he started batting in Adelaide. He explained that he was unable to track the ball properly and experienced dizziness, which worsened over the days leading up to the match.
“I couldn’t track the ball. I felt dizzy. Every time my head came up, I needed to recalibrate,” Smith said, adding that playing in the extreme heat would have only made things worse. In the end, he and the team management agreed it was the right decision for him to sit out.
Smith has dealt with similar issues earlier in his career and also suffered a concussion in 2022 during a T20I against Sri Lanka. He revealed that this time the problem was more related to vestibular and eye-tracking issues, rather than the room-spinning vertigo he had previously experienced.
The Australian star is now undergoing specialised training, including eye-tracking exercises, neck strengthening, and wearing goggles fitted with a laser, as part of his recovery process. “Hopefully it’s gone and never comes back,” he said.
Smith also spoke about the black patches worn under his eyes during the Brisbane day-night Test, insisting they worked “100 per cent” and helped him bat comfortably with the pink ball.
Reflecting on England coach Brendon McCullum’s comments about overpreparing, Smith empathised with the pressure on teams during tough phases, noting that trying too hard can sometimes leave players mentally drained before stepping onto the field.
