Steve Smith: “The shoulder is coming along really well. I had a hit on Thursday and Saturday, pain free”

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With the Ashes beginning next month, Australia captain Steve Smith has provided a positive update on his shoulder injury.

Australian fans would have been extremely anxious when Smith returned home early from Australia’s recent tour of India, where he suffered the injury while fielding in the fifth ODI in Nagpur.

However, Smith took to the nets last week and had no issues while batting. That being said, he has yet to test his shoulder when it comes to throwing a ball.

Despite this, Smith confirmed that he would represent New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield opener against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

“The shoulder is coming along really well,” the 28-year-old told reporters at the launch of his biography ‘The Journey’ on Tuesday. “I had a hit on Thursday and Saturday, pain free.

“I haven’t thrown yet but I’m going to get into that this afternoon with NSW training. But it’s coming along really well, so I’m fine to play in the Shield game this Friday.”

Smith added that players’ performances in the Sheffield Shield will play a pivotal role when it comes time for the national selectors to name Australia’s Ashes squad.

“It’s a great little preparation for the international guys, three Shield games before the first Test hasn’t happened for a long time,” he said. “It’s also a good opportunity for a few guys to stand up, knowing there might be a few positions up for grabs, it puts a little bit of pressure on.

“We like seeing guys perform under pressure, so hopefully a few guys step up.”

The highly-anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England gets underway on November 23 at the Gabba in Brisbane.