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What Is A Baseball Cage, Steve Smith Used For Training In New York For Faster Recovery?

Abhinav Tyagi

Steve Smith In Baseball Cage - (Sportstar Web/X.com)Steve Smith In Baseball Cage - (Sportstar Web/X.com)

On Monday, June 30, Australian star batter Steve Smith revealed that he has recovered from his finger injury and is ready to feature in the second Test against West Indies on July 3. The 36-year-old had missed the curtain raiser because of injury.

Smith dislocated his finger during the WTC 2025 final against South Africa but recovered within three weeks after being hit on the hand in the final. Notably, the 36-year-old underwent scans, and there were doubts over his participation in the ongoing West Indies series.

However, the right-handed batter is now fit and has joined the squad, where he is training hard in the nets. Speaking with ESPNcricinfo, the former Australia captain revealed that he practiced in a baseball cage in New York, which helped him recover faster. He also sent footage of his practice sessions to Cricket Australia, who were impressed by his recovery.

What Is a Baseball Cage?

It is worth noting that Smith owns a property in New York, where cricket is growing, but baseball remains the dominant sport. A baseball cage is similar to cricket nets, where baseball batters practice hitting home runs.

Unlike cricket nets, however, baseball cages are often completely enclosed so that the ball does not go outside the cage. Smith trained there with tennis balls and did not require a bowler to help him practice.

Steve Smith Provides Update on His Injury

Smith remarked that he is completely fine and did not feel any pain in his finger and added that he feels good. 

“For me, it'll just feel like training as normal, I think. I don't really feel any pain or anything. (It's) just getting used to the splint 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,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

However, cricket Australia are yet to confirm whether Smith will get a place in the 2nd Test or not.