Steve Smith Returns for Australia
Smith's return to the team is a significant development, and his participation in the second Test will be closely watched. The Australian team will be hoping that Smith's experience and batting prowess will help them overcome the challenges posed by the West Indies team. With Smith's recovery and return to the field, Australia's chances of winning the series have improved significantly.
Australian Test squad is set to be bolstered by the return of veteran batter Steve Smith, who is expected to rejoin the team by Sunday after recovering from a finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship Final. Smith has been progressing well in New York and will participate in net sessions to assess his readiness for the second Test against West Indies in Grenada.
Smith's return could strengthen Australia's top order, which struggled in the first Test without him. According to Pat Cummins, Smith has had a few hits with a tennis ball and incredi-ball in New York, and his wound is looking good. The final decision on his participation will be made in the coming days, but Smith is optimistic about his chances of playing in the upcoming Test match.
Smith's recovery is a significant boost for the Australian team, which has been experimenting with a revamped top order featuring young debutants. Smith is expected to bat at number four and has expressed support for the new lineup. However, he admitted that fielding may present a challenge due to limited movement in his finger, which he injured during the World Test Championship final.
The unique healing method adopted by Smith, which included baseball batting cage training in New York, has helped him recover from the injury without surgery. Smith's progress has been closely monitored by the medical staff, who are pleased with his recovery. With Smith's return, Australia will be looking to improve their performance in the second Test against West Indies.