Steve Smith Eyes Grenada Test Return After Injury Layoff OR Smith in Line for Grenada Test as Australia Aims for Series Win

Steve Smith, the experienced Australian batter, is in contention to feature in the second Test match against the West Indies in Grenada. This comes after Australia secured a convincing victory in the first Test in Barbados within just three days.

Steve Smith sidelined after finger injury during WTC final © Getty

Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, confirmed that Smith has resumed batting practice. He had dislocated his finger during the World Test Championship Final and subsequently returned to his home in 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."

Despite winning the first Test, Australia's top order struggled in Smith's absence, particularly after Marnus Labuschagne was dropped. In the first innings, they were reduced to 22/3, and in the second innings, the top four were all out with just 65 runs on the board.

Cummins, however, expressed confidence in the team's younger batsmen. "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, a historic first for Grenada, is scheduled to commence on July 3.