Smith's finger injury compounds Australia's woe

Australia were left contemplating the possibility of needing to replace over 10,000 runs after Steven Smith suffered a compound dislocation of the little finger on his right hand on the third day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's, leaving him a major doubt for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, as a rare loss in a tournament decider loomed into view.

Smith suffered the injury when he dropped a sharp chance offered by Temba Bavuma on 2 as the South Africa captain edged Mitchell Starc to first slip where Smith was standing so close that he was wearing a helmet.

Smith immediately knew he was in trouble and started to leave the field in significant pain even before the medical staff reached him.

"He was assessed by Australian team medical staff at the ground and taken to the hospital for X-rays and further treatment," a CA spokesperson said.

The dropped catch was a pivotal moment in the day as South Africa would have been 76 for 3 chasing 282 had it been held, but instead Bavuma was unbeaten on 65 at the close as fought through a hamstring injury.

Since 1996, Australia's men have lost just one of the 10 global finals they have been in - the 2010 T20 World Cup against England - but barring a spectacular South Africa collapse on Saturday will relinquish the mace.

"We understand the magnitude of the task, that 8 for 70 or whatever it is, is incredibly tricky and conditions would have to go away," assistant coach Daniel Vettori said. "I think with the nature of where the ball is at and the surface, it's a difficult task, but it is a task that the group has probably done at times throughout the last three, four, some of them five, six, even longer years."

Meanwhile, Smith's injury also leaves Australia with the prospect of having a big hole to fill in their batting order in the West Indies, where the first Test begins in Barbados on June 25, although the extent of Smith's injury was still being assessed at the close of play with him not having returned to the ground from hospital.

Earlier this year left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann was able to make a swift return to action after suffering a similar blow in the BBL before going on to take 16 wickets in the series against Sri Lanka.

Australia already have significant uncertainty around their top order with Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green struggling in the WTC final. After a relatively lean period by his high standards, Smith has been prolific in recent Tests with four hundreds in five matches against India and Sri Lanka before 66 in the first innings at Lord's.

Should Smith be ruled out of all or part of the West Indies tour, it could create an opening for Sam Konstas' return, with Labuschagne going back to No. 3 and Green dropping down to No. 4 where he made 174 not out against New Zealand before his back injury.

Josh Inglis is the other spare batter in the squad for the WTC final, which will be the same group that travels to the Caribbean. Should reinforcements be needed, Nathan McSweeney could come into consideration while the resurgent Kurtis Patterson could be another option.