Smith clears hurdle in push for Grenada Test return

2 months ago 19

Saint George’s: Steve Smith’s prospects of playing in the second Test against the West Indies received a significant boost on Tuesday after the Australian star completed the team’s main training session without complaint, despite extended chats with medical staff and chief selector George Bailey.

As of Tuesday afternoon local time (Wednesday morning AEST), Australian officials were quietly confident Smith would return to the XI at No.4 following the finger injury he sustained during last month’s World Test Championship final.

A final call won’t be made until closer to the match, which begins Thursday (midnight Friday AEST), but early signs were promising during Smith’s first net session since dislocating his right little finger.

The fact Sam Konstas practised catching in the slips cordon instead of Josh Inglis suggests Smith is likely to play.

All eyes were on the veteran as he walked into the nets at the picturesque National Cricket Stadium, just metres from the ocean with colourful houses visible in the surrounding hills. This was Smith’s first hit-out on the island.

Grenada, the “Spice Island” famous for its nutmeg, cocoa and postcard-perfect beaches, has hosted only four Test matches.

Batting alongside teenager Sam Konstas, who focused on countering balls coming back into him, Smith faced assistant coach Matthew Wade armed with a ‘whanger’ to get his timing back.

He nailed his first delivery - a back-foot shot just in front of square - with trademark precision.

Steve Smith bats in the nets in Grenada, two days out from the second Test.

Smith mainly focused on his off-side play and getting his hands hitting through the line of the ball.

The 35-year-old moved through a series of drills that included 55 balls in the warm-up nets, throwdowns from coach Andrew McDonald and Marnus Labuschagne, and then a stint facing quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.

Australian captain Pat Cummins didn’t bat or bowl on Tuesday - instead opting to do work in the gym - but is in no danger of missing the match.

Smith looked largely untroubled, bar a thin edge on ball No.48 and the occasional glance at his injured finger, which still appeared to affect some of his bottom-hand play.

The pitch at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, two days out from Australia’s second Test against the West Indies.

He also tested himself in the field, taking catches with reasonable comfort and later spending time in conversation with McDonald and physiotherapist Nick Jones. While Smith grabbed at his finger several times, batting seemed less of a concern than fielding.

Australia will be doing their best to hide Smith on the field. He joked earlier in the week he couldn’t remember the last time he fielded at fine leg.

Still, with 10,350 Test runs to his name, Australia are keen to have him back.

Smith (left) chats with Australia’s physiotherapist Nick Jones and head coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday.

“He’s a class player,” Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey told reporters before training. “I think any time you add 10,000 runs to the back into the line-up you have got to be pretty happy. He seems pretty confident.

“He’s excited to get back in, but also, it’s been tough at the top of the order. To add a little bit more experience is good for the group, but I think they’re doing a pretty good job.”

West Indies coach Daren Sammy is planning for Smith’s return.

“Steve Smith, if he comes in, poses a different challenge to us,” Sammy said. “He’s very experienced and world-class. We now have to plan against him as well.”

Both teams got their first look at the Grenada surface, which looked excellent for batting two days out from the match. Locals say the pitch tends to produce draws at domestic level, which could be welcome news for Australia’s top order, including Konstas and Cam Green, who had long net sessions on Tuesday after modest showings in Barbados.

It would be a surprise if Australia changed their XI outside of Smith replacing Inglis at No.4.

“We’ve played more white ball cricket here but it’s normally a really good cricket wicket,” Sammy said. “I had a look [and there is] a much more even cover of grass.

“We shot ourselves in the foot [in the first Test]. You cannot drop seven catches against the world No.1 team and expect to compete all the time and be victorious.”