Australia set for massive boost as West Indies alter plans ICC World Test Championship

Int'l Cricket Council

02-07-2025

Australia look likely to be boosted by the return of star batter Steve Smith for the second ICC World Test Championship contest against the West Indies in Grenada.
Smith batted with little discomfort on his injured finger at training in the Caribbean on Tuesday and the 36-year-old is set to return to Australia's XI as they attempt to wrap up the Test series against the West Indies with victory in the second Test that commences at the National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Steve Smith forced off the field injured | WTC25 Final
Australia talisman Steve Smith sustained a nasty blow on Day 3 at Lord's and walked off the field in discomfort.
Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey spoke with reporters prior to training and said Smith had done everything expected of him as he tries to return from the injury he picked up during the World Test Championship Final against South Africa last month.
'(He's a) class player. Think anytime you add 10,000 runs back into the line-up, you're going to be pretty happy with it. So we'll wait and see,' Carey said of Smith.
'Obviously, he's having a hit out here. He seems pretty confident and he's excited to get back in. But also, it's been tough at the top of the order, so to add I guess a little bit more experience is good for the group, but I think they're doing a pretty good job as well.'
Alex Carey's vital 43 for Australia | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final
Australia wicket-keeper/batter Alex Carey makes a valuable contribution for his side in the Ultimate Test.
With Smith expected to return to his preferred batting position at No.4, it means back-up batter Josh Inglis is likely to make way in what will be Australia's only change to the side that won the opening Test of the series by 159 runs.
The West Indies strong bowling line-up managed to cause plenty of problems for Australia during that opening Test, though coach Daren Sammy knows the likely return of Smith to the XI will pose a different proposition for his front-line pacers.
"He (Smith) is a quality guy and a quality player," Sammy said.
"Australia is still strong (without him) because of the system they have. They keep on producing guys. But we've seen when we add pressure as a bowling group, we did get 20 wickets in the Test and that's the first step towards winning. Steve Smith, if he comes in, poses a different challenge to us."
Steve Smith's fighting fifty for Australia | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final
On a tricky Day 1 at Lord's, Steve Smith buckled down with a gritty half century.
Sammy took plenty of positives from the West Indies' performance in the opening Tet in Barbados, but knows the side needs to improve their efforts in the field if they want to mix it with the Aussies.
"I think the biggest thing is we shot ourselves in the foot (during the first Test)," Sammy said.
"You cannot drop seven catches against the world's No.1 team and expect to compete. We have a lot of blame to take for the defeat, but there were also some positives…for the first two days, we were (going) head and shoulders against the No.1 team." ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsSteve Smith