WI vs AUS: Steve Smith begins batting, hopes to prove fitness for Grenada Test
Australian skipper Pat Cummins revealed that Steve Smith is already back to batting practice in New York and could be available for the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada. Smith was out of action from the Australian Test team after picking up a finger injury during the recently concluded World Test Championship final at Lord's. The batter had picked up a compound dislocation to his right little finger while trying to take a catch at the slips.advertisementAccording to a report by Cricket.com.au, he had flown to New York to continue his rehabilitation. Cummin revealed that if Smith was able to clear the fitness tests, he would slot right back into the side for the next Test against the West Indies at Grenada's National Stadium on July 3."He's had a few hits over in New York, which I think was with a tennis ball and an incredi-ball," Cummins mentioned following Australia's win in the opening Test at Bridgetown.
"I think his wound is looking good, so the next stage is to come over here and hit some balls in the nets," he added.His return to the side will be a big boost, considering that the Australian batting unit missed his consistency in the middle-order. Despite being able to win the first Test, they were put through the wringer by the pace of Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales, who ran riot in both innings.advertisementIn what was a bowling track, Travis Head's twin fifties alongside Beau Webster and Alex Carey's half-centuries in the second innings ensured that the bowlers had enough runs on the board to go all-out and clean up the West Indies batting unit fairly easily to get their new World Test Championship campaign off to a win.Speaking on the performances of the young stars, Cummins highlighted how he would continue backing the inexperienced players who put up a disappointing performance. The likes of Sam Konstas, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis struggled to step up in tough batting conditions, and the captain hopes they can learn from the situation and build themselves."Of course, the top order would like to score some more runs. The challenge of Test cricket, especially for young players, is that when you get thrown in different conditions, you've got to find a way to be effective," Cummins shared."But we backed them in, and their prep leading in was excellent, and the way they're talking about playing is really good, so we've got full confidence," he added.Will Grenada also provide a similar track, and will the West Indies be able to notch a win in their name? Australia certainly don't have any plans of falling short and will hope Smith's return takes them back to dominant ways.- EndsMust Watch
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