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Steve Smith Returns As Pat Cummins Announces Australia’s Playing XI For 2nd Test vs WI

Rajgeeta Yadav

Steve Smith returns [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Steve Smith returns [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Australian star batter Steve Smith is back in the team for the second Test match against the West Indies in Grenada. Smith has recovered from a serious finger injury and will replace Josh Inglis in the playing XI, captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Wednesday.

Steve Smith Returns After Finger Injury

Smith dislocated his right little finger while fielding in the slips during the World Test Championship final at Lord’s three weeks ago. The injury was severe enough that he had to be taken to the hospital and later wore a splint to support the healing process.

“He’s ready to go, the finger held up well,” said Cummins during a press conference in St George’s, Grenada. The 36-year-old will play with a splint on his finger but is expected to perform at his usual high standards.

Despite still wearing the splint, Smith says he feels comfortable and match-ready. He spent the past week practising in New York before rejoining the Australian squad just ahead of the Grenada Test.

“For me, it’ll just feel like training as normal, I think,” Smith said a few days before the match.

“I don’t really feel any pain or anything. (It’s) just getting used to the splint on and the slight limited movement. It’s not too bad, I’ve got a lot of movement there now, so that feels good. Hitting the ball felt completely fine,” Smith added.

However, he won’t be able to field in his usual spot near the wicket (in the slips) because of the splint. Instead, he’ll field in areas like mid-on, mid-off, or fine leg, which he admits will feel a bit strange since he’s never done that in a Test match before.

Smith replaces Josh Inglis in the team. Inglis had a rough game in Barbados, scoring only 5 and 12 runs. Despite a poor performance in the first Test, young player Sam Konstas keeps his spot. Australia’s fast bowlers will also stay the same. Australia are already leading the series 1-0 and hoping to keep up the winning streak.

Australia’s Playing XI For Second Test:

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood