Australia's Steve Smith suffered a compound dislocation of his finger during the World Test Championship final, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming West Indies Test tour. The injury occurred when Smith attempted to catch an edge off South African captain Temba Bavuma's bat, resulting in a painful blow to his right little finger. Smith was immediately taken to the hospital for X-rays and further evaluation.

During the match at Lord's, Smith was fielding at slip position and was standing closer than usual due to the slow pitch conditions. The incident took place on day three of the final when Mitchell Starc's delivery was edged by Bavuma. Despite the injury, Bavuma went on to score 65 more runs in partnership with Aiden Markram, who remained unbeaten on 102.

Assistant coach Daniel Vettori mentioned that Smith was quickly attended to by medical staff and taken for further assessment. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined, but a compound dislocation could potentially require surgery and a lengthy recovery period. Smith's absence from the upcoming three-Test series against the West Indies, commencing on June 25 in Barbados, would be a significant blow to the Australian team.

The West Indies tour comprises matches in Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica, with Smith's presence crucial given his recent form, having scored four centuries in his last six Test appearances. The team will await updates on Smith's condition following his hospital visit to ascertain the extent of his injury and the timeline for his recovery.