Steve Smith to bat on Day 5 despite neck issue, confirms Hazlewood
Synopsis
Steve Smith sat out Australia's second innings on Day 4 with a neck complaint, leaving the tourists wobbling at 156/4 after a first-innings collapse to 99. Now, with the match on the line and rain delaying the start of Day 5, Josh Hazlewood says Smith 'looks better today' and will bat — making the veteran's appearance the single biggest factor in whether Australia survive or South Africa seal the series.
Key Takeaways
Josh Hazlewood confirmed Steve Smith will bat on Day 5 of the second Test in Gqeberha despite neck discomfort.
Smith was absent from Australia's second innings on Day 4 ; Matt Renshaw was promoted to No.
4 and Beau Webster to No.
Australia collapsed for 99 all out in the first innings, trailing South Africa's 425 by 326 runs , and were asked to follow on.
Australia resume Day 5 at 156 for 4 , needing to bat out the day to save the match.
Rain delayed the start of Day 5 , offering Australia a potential reprieve.
Josh Hazlewood confirmed on the morning of Day 5 that veteran Steve Smith will take the crease during Australia's second innings in the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park, Gqeberha, despite a neck complaint that kept him off the field on Day 4. Australia resume at a precarious 156 for 4, still needing to bat out the day to save the match.
How the neck issue surfaced
Smith first showed signs of discomfort while batting in Australia's first innings, where he was dismissed for 28 as the visitors imploded for a shocking 99 all out. South Africa, who had posted 425 in their first innings, enforced the follow-on with Australia trailing by 326 runs.
When Australia's second innings got underway, Smith was notably absent. Matt Renshaw was promoted to Smith's customary No. 4 position, while Beau Webster slotted in at No. 5. Smith was spotted in the viewing area resting with a neck cushion. Late on Day 4, Scott Boland was deployed as a nightwatchman as the light faded.
Hazlewood's update on Smith
Speaking ahead of the rain-delayed start to Day 5, Hazlewood offered a reassuring assessment. 'Yeah, I think it was just a sore neck, really. It wasn't like from an incident or anything. I think it's probably just from time in the middle and fielding in the slips, batting, training, all that sort of thing. Different beds and different pillows every second night on tour doesn't help,' the fast bowler said.
Hazlewood, who noted he is 'accustomed to a sore neck from time to time' himself, added: 'He looks better today, I think. He'll obviously bat at some stage. And, yeah, he's the best in the world.'
When pressed on whether Smith would be next in at the fall of a wicket, Hazlewood was candid about the uncertainty: 'Too hard to tell. I think if it's not next it's the one after, I think. So, yeah, we'll see him.'
The match situation
Australia find themselves deep in a rearguard battle. With 156 for 4 on the board and a deficit still looming from the first innings collapse, Smith's availability is critical. His Test average and experience at this level make him arguably the most important batter on the touring side. South Africa will be keen to press their advantage on what could be a decisive final day.
What to watch on Day 5
Rain has already disrupted the start of Day 5, reducing the available overs and giving Australia a potential lifeline. Should the weather relent, Smith's reappearance at the crease will be the defining subplot — a fit and focused Smith could be the difference between Australia surviving and South Africa completing a comprehensive victory to go 2-0 up in the series.
Point of View
On its own, a significant psychological blow to an Australian side already reeling from a stunning first-innings collapse. Hazlewood's positive update changes the calculus for Day 5, but the neck complaint highlights a broader vulnerability on tour — accumulated physical wear across batting, fielding and travel — that Australia's management will need to address. South Africa's decision to enforce the follow-on was textbook, and the rain delay now complicates what looked like a straightforward path to a series-clinching win. Whether Smith's fitness holds across a full day's batting remains the unanswered question.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Steve Smith bat on Day 5 of the Gqeberha Test?
Yes. Josh Hazlewood confirmed before the start of Day 5 that Steve Smith will bat despite the neck discomfort that kept him off the field during Australia's second innings on Day 4. Hazlewood said Smith 'looks better today.'
What caused Steve Smith's neck problem?
Hazlewood said the issue was not linked to any specific incident but rather general wear from batting, fielding in the slips, training, and touring. He noted that 'different beds and different pillows every second night on tour doesn't help.'
What is Australia's match situation at the start of Day 5?
Australia resume the second innings at 156 for 4, still needing to bat out the day to save the match. They were forced to follow on after collapsing for 99 in the first innings, trailing South Africa's 425 by 326 runs.
Why did Matt Renshaw bat at No. 4 instead of Smith on Day 4?
Renshaw was promoted to No. 4 — Smith's usual position — because Smith was not available to bat due to his neck complaint. Beau Webster was also moved up to No. 5, while Scott Boland came in as nightwatchman late on Day 4.
How much does Australia's survival depend on Steve Smith?
Smith is Australia's most experienced batter in the lineup and, according to Hazlewood, 'the best in the world.' His ability to occupy the crease for an extended period on Day 5 is widely seen as the key factor in whether Australia can save the match or concede a series-levelling defeat.
