Australia will allow Steve Smith additional time to recover and prove his fitness ahead of the third Test against South Africa after the former captain sustained a neck injury during the innings defeat in Gqeberha. The series is currently tied 1-1, with the decisive match scheduled at Newlands in Cape Town. This venue is notable as the location of the 2018 "sandpapergate" incident, which resulted in Smith losing his captaincy. South Africa have made a single change to their lineup, replacing the injured fast bowler Anrich Nortje with Gerald Coetzee.
In related cricket news, Gareth Batty has announced his departure as head coach of Surrey after five years in charge. Batty, 49, who joined Surrey’s coaching staff in 2021 following the conclusion of his playing career at the county, will take up an assistant coaching role with the Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK). During his tenure, Batty oversaw a period of strong performances, guiding Surrey to three consecutive County Championship titles from 2022 to 2024. However, Surrey’s fortunes waned subsequently, finishing as runners-up in 2025 and falling to seventh place in 2026, missing out on the knockout stages of both the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup competitions.
Batty has also served as an assistant coach for Surrey’s Hundred team, MI London. His move to Chennai Super Kings comes amid significant backroom staff changes following the departure of CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming, now England’s Test head coach. Fleming’s former assistants Eric Simons and James Foster have also joined England’s coaching setup alongside Fleming.
Batty’s relationship with Surrey spans over two decades, including 21 years as a player and coach, and he captained the side from 2015 to 2017. His decision to leave is motivated in part by a desire to spend more time with his young family, as his new IPL role entails an absence of approximately three months annually.
Surrey will now begin the process of appointing a new head coach. The pool of experienced English candidates has narrowed recently due to appointments within the England structure, including Richard Dawson as Elite National spin bowling lead, Jonathan Trott as England Lions head coach, and Mike Yardy as national batting lead coach. This has prompted speculation that Surrey might consider an overseas candidate. Potential options from England’s current setup include Marcus Trescothick, who is part of Fleming’s support staff. Other names noted in discussions include Ottis Gibson, who is linked with the Durham head coach vacancy, and Adi Birrell, former Hampshire head coach.