Steve Smith is set to rejoin Australia鈥檚 squad in Barbados as he intensifies his efforts for a return in the second Test against West Indies in Grenada. The star batter, who missed Australia鈥檚 159-run victory in the series opener due to a finger injury, has begun batting practice in New York as part of his rehabilitation.
Smith has been out of action since dislocating his right little finger during the World Test Championship final on June 13. He travelled to New York following the injury and has been working on his recovery while Australia secured the first Test victory within three days at Kensington Oval.
Smith is expected to reunite with the squad by Sunday, ahead of the second Test at Grenada鈥檚 National Stadium starting July 3.
鈥淗e鈥檚 had a few hits over in New York, which I think was with a tennis ball and an incredi-ball,鈥 Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed after his team鈥檚 dominant win. 鈥淚 think his wound is looking good, so the next stage is to come over here and hit some balls in the nets. So we鈥檒l know more over the next few days.鈥
Smith still needs to bat with a protective split on his finger for up to eight weeks, and Cummins mentioned that his return depends on how well he can manage with it. If cleared, Smith will return to his familiar No. 4 position.
Australia鈥檚 top order, missing the steadying presence of both Smith and Marnus Labuschagne (who was replaced by teenager Sam Konstas), struggled against the West Indies pace attack. Konstas scored just 3 and 5, Josh Inglis made 5 and 12 at No. 4, and Cameron Green 鈥 in only his second Test batting at No. 3 鈥 fell cheaply twice.
Cummins, however, showed his support for the young batters. 鈥淥f course, the top order would like to score some more runs. The challenge of Test cricket, especially for young players, is when you get thrown different conditions, you鈥檝e got to find a way to be effective,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat will be the conversations over the next few days. But we back them in and their prep leading in was excellent. The way they鈥檙e talking about playing is really good, so we鈥檝e got full confidence.鈥
The Australians will travel to Grenada on Monday for what will be their first-ever Test on the island, marking a historic occasion for the team. The last time Australia played in Grenada was an ODI in 2008 before any of the current squad members had made their international debut.
(With IANS Inputs)