Steve Smith Back for 2nd Test vs WI After Finger Injury

Photo: AP

Australia’s famous batter Steve Smith is back in the team for the second Test match against the West Indies in Grenada. Smith had hurt his finger earlier but has now recovered. Captain Pat Cummins confirmed his return a day before the match at the National Cricket Stadium.

Smith will replace Josh Inglis in the playing eleven. He got hurt badly on Day 3 of the WTC Final at Lord’s and left the field feeling pain. However, Smith batted on Tuesday while wearing a splint and felt no pain. Cummins said there was no reason to leave him out.

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“He is ready to play. His finger is fine now,” Cummins said. “He was very happy while batting. We may need to manage his fielding a little. He might not stand in the slips much, maybe only when spinners are bowling. For fast bowlers, he might wait another week. You may see him fielding at mid-off or fine leg, but I think soon he will want to come back into the slips.”

In the WTC Final at Lord’s, Smith played a strong innings and scored a half-century on a difficult Day 1 pitch.

Australia has made only this one change in the team that beat West Indies by 159 runs in the first Test. The West Indies have not confirmed their team yet and will decide at the toss. They might include Anderson Phillip, a left-arm fast bowler, instead of spinner and vice-captain Jomel Warrican.

One special player for the West Indies in this match is Kraigg Brathwaite. He will be playing his 100th Test match, becoming only the 10th West Indies player to do so. Brathwaite has been part of the team since 2011. Captain Roston Chase praised him and said:

“It is an amazing achievement. He is the third Bajan to do this. The last was Chris Gayle in 2014. Kraigg is a modern-day legend. I have played with him since under-11s. He said from the start that he wanted to play 100 Tests. It’s great that he achieved it.”

Australia XI for second Test: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

West Indies squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales