Smith has taken over the Test captaincy for the two-Test series because Pat Cummins is remaining in Australia for the birth of his second child. But Head would be in the box-seat if Smith was to be ruled out - a massive twist for the South Australian batter.

Australia might need to find another stand-in captain for the two Tests in Sri Lanka after star batter Steve Smith injured his elbow in the BBL.

Cricket Australia is expecting stand-in Australian skipper Steve Smith to join Test teammates in Dubai later this week after sustaining an elbow injury that requires an elbow brace and specialist assessment.

Steve Smith has suffered an elbow injury but the star batter is still planning to captain Australia in the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. The 35-year-old damaged his right elbow while throwing in the field for the Sydney Sixers in their washed-out Big Bash League derby against the Sydney Thunder.

Smith has been appointed as the full-time skipper Pat Cummins is out of the tour due to the birth of his second child and also an ankle injury

Captain Steven Smith suffers elbow injury ahead of series. (Photo Source: X(Twitter) Australia are set to play their last series of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle before playing the finale against South Africa at the Lord's,