Smith Eyes Grenada Test Return After Injury Recovery OR Steve Smith in Line for Grenada Test Comeback After Finger Injury OR Australia's Steve Smith Could Return for Second West Indies Test in Grenada

Smith Poised for Potential Return in Grenada Test

Steve Smith, the experienced Australian batter, is in contention to rejoin the squad for the second Test match against the West Indies in Grenada. This follows Australia's dominant victory in the first Test in Barbados, which concluded in just three days.

Steve Smith missed the opening Test after dislocating a finger during the WTC final © Getty

Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, confirmed that Smith has resumed batting practice. Smith had previously dislocated his finger during the World Test Championship Final and subsequently returned to New York for rehabilitation, causing him to miss the first Test.

Cummins elaborated on Smith's recovery, stating, "He's had a few hits over in New York, which I think was with a tennis ball and an incredi-ball. I think his wound is looking good, so the next stage is to come over here and hit some balls in the nets. So we'll know more over the next few days."

The potential return of Smith could provide a significant boost to the Australian batting lineup. Despite winning the first Test, the top order struggled in Smith's absence, particularly with Marnus Labuschagne being dropped. In the first innings, Australia was reduced to 22/3, and in the second innings, the top four were all out with only 65 runs on the board.

Cummins, however, expressed confidence in the team's young batters. "You saw today how tricky a wicket that was, there weren't too many 50-run partnerships throughout the whole game," Cummins said. "Of 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've got to find a way to be effective. That's the challenge for our young batting group."

The second Test match, which marks the first-ever Test to be held in Grenada, is scheduled to commence on July 3rd.