Batting cage and tennis balls: Steve Smith fast tracks recovery before 2nd Test

India Today

30-06-2025

Senior Australia batter Steve Smith is desperate to make his return from a finger injury. Smith, who dislocated his finger in the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, is looking to make a comeback in the 2nd Test match against West Indies.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Smith revealed that he could not sit in his apartment, waiting for his injury to heal and instead got to training in a baseball cage in New York.advertisementThe injury forced him to miss the opening game of the three-Test series against the Caribbean in Barbados from June 25 to 27, which Australia won by 159 runs. In New York, he began by facing tennis balls and other soft balls in the nets before facing the hard cricket ball.
"My mate actually told me about it, which was ideal because it was pretty warm there (in New York)," Smith said in an interview."Underneath this bridge there was a batting cage, and he was able to throw me a few balls there, so it was good to be in the shade. It was pretty hot there," he said.Smith in Running for 2nd Test vs WIA baseball cage is a netted enclosure, quite similar to the cricket nets, used by baseball players to practice hitting. It provides a contained area where batters can safely swing and hit baseballs without the risk of stray balls leaving the hitting area.advertisementSmith sent the footage of his batting to the Australian medical staff in the Caribbean, who were happy with his progress.While it is not clear if he will play the second Test at St George's from July 3 or not, Smith has shown clear signs of recovery."For me, it'll just feel like training as normal, I think. I don't really feel any pain or anything. (I'm) just getting used to the splint on 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," said Smith."Fielding some balls in front of the wicket will probably be the strangest thing for me. I don't think I've ever done that in a Test match. Fielding at either probably mid-on or mid-off or fine leg is a bit different to standing at the second or first slip,' he added.Smith, meanwhile, backed the new players in the Australian side, including opener Sam Konstas, to come good in the second Test."These guys are good players, there's been a lot of talk around it but... we just need to give them an opportunity," said Smith."It doesn't always come around straight away. We've just got to give them an opportunity and let them get used to playing in these conditions and in international cricket. These guys have some really good talent and I think they have bright futures,' he added.- Ends