Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Steve Smith is on track to play the 2nd Test against West Indies in Grenada. The great batsman rejoined the Australia squad over the weekend in a bid to be fit for the match which begins on July 3.
Smith missed the Barbados Test due to a dislocated finger which he suffered on day three of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa. He has been undergoing rehabilitation for the nasty injury, and Pat Cummins confirmed Smith has been taking steps towards a return.
Steve Smith a strong chance to play 2nd Test, but must tick a few boxes first
After Australia sealed a 159-run win on day three in Barbados, Cummins said Smith has “had a few hits” as he aims to return to the XI. However, Smith still has a few boxes to tick as he has not batted against a cricket ball yet since the injury.
“He’s had a few hits over in New York, which I think was with a tennis ball and an incredi-ball,” Cummins said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
“I think his wound is looking good, so the next stage is to come over here and hit some balls in the nets. So we’ll know more over the next few days.”
Andrew McDonald is confident Smith will be available. The Australia coach said Smith will have the main session as well as training on match-eve to prove his fitness.
“It’s really about functionality around the finger rather than anything else,” McDonald said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “”There’ll be no risk to long-term health of that finger. He’ll return and I think it’s likely he’ll play. Leading into the next game, he’ll have the main session two days out.
“He’ll [also] train the day before [the match]. If that all goes well, then I’d expect Steve to resume at No. 4.”
If Smith is fit to play, Australia will certainly welcome him with open arms. The top order struggled significantly in the first Test. Usman Khawaja’s issues around offstump remain. Sam Konstas endured a tough return to the Test side. Cameron Green at number three doesn’t look the right fit, nor does Josh Inglis at four.
Pat Cummins backs younger players to come good
However, Cummins has called for calm given batting conditions were difficult in Barbados.
“You saw today how tricky a wicket that was. There weren’t too many 50-run partnerships throughout the whole game,” the captain said.
“That’s the challenge for our young batting group. If you presented that same wicket next week, would you do anything differently? Would you not? That will be the conversations over the next few days.
“But we back them in and their prep leading in was excellent and the way they’re talking about playing is really good, so we’ve got full confidence.”
After a tough first two days where Australia were saved by poor Windies fielding and questionable third umpire decisions, Cummins’ team took the game by the scruff of the neck. After beginning day three on 92/4 leading by 82, Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey all struck crucial half-centuries to propel the Aussies to a lead of 300.
Australia’s experienced attack was then far too strong for the hosts on a difficult pitch. All ten wickets fell in the final session as the Windies were bundled out for just 141.
Australia will travel to Grenada on Monday to prepare for their first-ever Test in the island nation. The National Stadium has hosted just four Tests in its history, along with 24 ODIs and eight T20Is.
