Steve Smith Eyes Grenada Test Return After Injury Layoff

Smith Set to Join Australia for Grenada Test

Steve Smith, the experienced Australian batter, is likely to join the squad for the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada, following Australia's victory in the first Test in Barbados within 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 after dislocating his finger during the World Test Championship Final. Smith returned to New York after the final to continue his rehabilitation, which caused him to miss the first Test.

Cummins stated after his team's 1-0 series lead, "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 Australian top order struggled in Smith's absence in the first Test, despite their win, especially after Marnus Labuschagne was left out of the squad. They were reduced to 22/3 in the first innings, and all four top-order batsmen were out with only 65 runs on the board in the second. However, Cummins reiterated that the team management would support their younger batters.

Cummins said, "You saw today how tricky a wicket that was, there weren't too many 50-run partnerships throughout the whole game. 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, the first ever to be held in Grenada, will commence on July 3.