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Australia Receives Big Boost As Steve Smith Returns For Second Test vs West Indies

Kaushik Kashyap

Steve Smith. [Source - CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Steve Smith. [Source - CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

In a significant development, Steve Smith is set to return to Australia’ playing XI for the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada starting on Thursday, July 3rd. The veteran batter missed the series opener in Bridgetown due to a dislocated finger, an injury sustained during the World Test Championship final against South Africa last month.

Steve Smith’s Comeback Fuels Australia’s Rising Winning Momentum

Australia from secured a comfortable win in the first Test in Barbados. However, Smith's return will without a doubt strengthen the batting unit ahead of the important clash at the National Cricket Stadium. The right-hander, has rejoined the Australian squad recently and is expected to bat at number four, replacing Josh Inglis.

Australian keeper-batter Alex Carey expressed his delight ahead of the Grenada Test, welcoming the senior batter’s return to the side. Speaking to the media, Carey shed light on Smith’s presence bringing confidence to the Australian camp and believes his return will help stabilise the struggling top four.

“Anytime you add 10,000 runs back [Steve Smith] into the line-up, you are going to be pretty happy with it. It has been tough at the top of the order, so to add a little bit more experience is good for the group,” Carey said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo

Looking at his record, Smith loves playing against the West Indies, boasting a staggering Test average of 124.57. His addition will surely pose a greater challenge to the West Indies pace attack, which found some success against Australia’s top four in the first Test.

Steve Smith’s Slip Cordon Role Uncertain Ahead of Second Test

The 36-year-old's return with the bat is a definite boost, but there is some uncertainty over whether Smith will be able to field in the slip cordon or not. The former Australian captain did reveal that he practiced in a baseball cage in New York to make a faster recovery, but his finger still does not look fully fit to field in Australia’s slip cordon for the Grenada Test.

Therefore, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, Australia are already planning their slip cordon setup on the assumption that Smith will play but won’t be able to field in the slips, at a time when catching has been a crucial difference maker, just as it proved costly to India in the Headingley Test and to the West Indies themselves in Barbados.