Steve Smith aiming for a Boxing Day return after being ruled out of 3rd Ashes test

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Steve Smith is aiming to be back in Ashes action for Australia on Boxing Day after being ruled out shortly before play started Wednesday in the third test at Adelaide.

Smith was talking to Australian coach Andrew McDonald on the field in the hour before the toss of the coin, when it appeared the final decision was made to leave him out of the XI so he can continue recovering from dizziness and nausea.

That allowed Usman Khawaja an unexpected recall for Australia, batting at No. 4 to replace Smith rather than opening the innings.

Australian team management later said Smith was being treated for a “potential vestibular issue” in the inner ear, ruling out speculation that the star batter had sustained a concussion during a net practice session.

He practiced with the Australia squad on Saturday and Sunday skipped Monday's session, but returned on Tuesday and batted again in the nets on Wednesday morning.

“Steve is feeling a little bit unwell the last couple of days,” returning captain Pat Cummins said at the coin toss. "He came and gave it a crack this morning but didn’t think he was going to get up for this one, so he’s headed off home.

“But we’re pretty lucky we have got someone like Usman who can step right in.”

Team management said Smith, who has dealt with vertigo symptoms in the past, is likely to return for the fourth test starting Dec. 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play," Australian team management said in a statement. “However, given the persistence of symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed.”

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

Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first in Adelaide, 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.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's captain Steve Smith warms up before start the fourth day of the second Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Brisbane, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

Australia's captain Steve Smith hits a six during the second Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Brisbane, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

England's Will Jacks jumps to celebrate with teammate England's Joe Root the wicket of Australia's captain Steve Smith during the second Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Brisbane, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

Australia's captain Steve Smith celebrates his fifty runs during the second Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Brisbane, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

MONTREAL (AP) — Carl Grundstrom and Bobby Brink scored in the final minute of the first and second period, respectively, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

Trevor Zegras, playing in his 300th NHL game, ran his goal streak to a career-high four games as Philadelphia (17-9-6) snapped a season-worst three-game skid.

Travis Konecny added an empty-net goal for the Flyers, and Dan Vladar made 21 saves. Vladar has won both his starts this season in Montreal.

Alexandre Texier scored his second goal in two games for the Canadiens (17-12-4), who have dropped four of six.

Rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler made 17 saves in his first career start on home ice. Fowler has started three of Montreal’s last four games since being called up from the Laval Rocket of the AHL on Dec. 9.

Fellow goaltender Samuel Montembeault was assigned to the Rocket earlier Tuesday on a conditioning assignment.

The Canadiens played without defenseman Mike Matheson for the first time this season. The 31-year-old Matheson, who leads all Montreal skaters with an average ice time of 24:54 per game, is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The Flyers failed to score on their three power-play opportunities, running their drought to 0 for 13 with the man advantage dating to Dec. 7.

Montreal fell to 8-9-1 at home.

Zegras scored his team-leading 14th goal in the second period. He has 33 points this season, surpassing the 32 he had in 57 games last season with Anaheim.

Flyers: Visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

Canadiens: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras (46) celebrates his goal with teammates Travis Konecny (11) Christian Dvorak (22) during second period NHL hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (32) makes a save on Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny (11) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montréal Canadiens' Alexandre Texier (85) scores on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Montreal, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras (46) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (32) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Montreal, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)