Australia star Steve Smith ruled out of 3rd Ashes cricket test against England

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) – Australia star Steve Smith was ruled out of the third Ashes cricket test against England just before the toss of the coin on Wednesday because of a lingering illness.

Smith led Australia to eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins. He hit the winning runs in Brisbane as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja was recalled to the starting lineup as a last-minute replacement for Smith. Khawaja missed the second test with a back injury.

Fast bowler Cummins won the toss and elected to bat in his first test since sustaining a back injury in July. England needs a victory in the third test to have any chance of reclaiming the Ashes.

Players wore wearing black armbands to honor the 15 people killed and dozens injured in an antisemitic attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday that targeted the Jewish community celebrating the start of Hannukah.

Police described the mass shooting as a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.

Flags were flown at half-mast at the Adelaide Oval on Day 1 of the third test.

Folk singer John Williamson performed his fabled song “True Blue” in a pre-match program that included a moment’s silence, the Indigenous “Welcome to Country” and the Australian and England anthems.

The late withdrawal of Smith meant there were three changes to Australia’s XI from the second test, with Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon returning at the expense of pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser and Khawaja switching back into the batting lineup at No. 4.

Australia team management said Smith had been feeling unwell in recent days with symptoms including nausea and dizziness.

“He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play. However, given the persistence of the symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed,” the team said in a statement. Smith is being treated for inner ear issues.

“This is something Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly.”

Smith is expected to be available for the fourth test, starting Dec. 26 in Melbourne.

England made one change, with Josh Tongue replacing fellow fast bowler Gus Atkinson.

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Lineups:

Australia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.