After suffering an elbow injury during the BBL, Australia's stand-in Test skipper Steven Smith has raised concerns before the series in Sri Lanka. Throwing on the field for the Sydney Sixers during their postponed game against the Sydney Thunder on Friday, Smith, who has a history of elbow issues, suffered the injury to his right arm, which he had surgery on in 2019.

Smith was still intending to go later this week, according to a statement from Cricket Australia, but his departure for the team's training camp in Dubai has been postponed as he receives more advice from an expert. With Pat Cummins on paternity leave, Smith was expected to captain Australia in the two Test matches in Galle. Travis Head will be eligible to lead a Test match for the first time if he is unable to do so.