Smith targets Shield return after New York neck consultations

Australia selector George Bailey said Steve Smith has made progress after consulting specialists in New York and is targeting a return for Sheffield Shield round five as he recovers from a neck injury that ruled him out of the final Test against South Africa.

Bailey said Smith’s plan was to be available for the fifth round of the domestic competition. A report identified the target match as New South Wales against Queensland on November 22. Smith has not yet been confirmed for selection, and the planned return is not a completed match appearance.

Smith’s neck problem was diagnosed as an injury to a cervical facet joint during the second Test against South Africa at St Georges Park. The discomfort affected his batting, and he moved down the order in the second innings. He was ruled out of the series-deciding third Test at Newlands after receiving a nerve-block injection on the morning of the match. Smith scored 83 runs across four innings on the South Africa tour.

After the tour, Smith travelled to New York for specialist appointments. Bailey said the consultations had helped in getting to the root of what may have caused the trouble and that there had been some progress. The...