Smith eyes return in the second test against the WI

Sports News: Steve Smith is all in readiness to play the second test of the ongoing series against the West Indies. The veteran batter sustained a finger injury during the World Test Championship final at Lord's earlier this month. The former skipper was standing close to the batter in the slip cordon when a failed attempt to catch resulted in his injury. The Aussies achieved a convincing 159-run victory over the hosts.

McDonald's statement

Smith was replaced by the wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis, who couldn't really get going in both innings. The right-handed no. 4 batter was also seen practicing in the nets in New York City before landing in Barbados. Australia's coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Smith will bat at no. 4, with the other batters batting around him. "In terms of why we see him as no. 4, I think we've settled on that. We can slide him up the order if we want to. He's been brilliant at no. 3.

Why no.4?

"I think if you look at the last 12 months at No.4 and his ability to stabilize that position, two down, arguably our greatest batter, we want to keep him at four and build around that rather than potentially risking too many moves in the order he said. It's really about functionality around the finger rather than anything else. There'll be no risk to the long-term health of that finger. He'll return, and I think it's likely he'll play. Leading into the next game, he'll have the main session two days out," Andrew McDonald added, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

Smith against the WI

Steve Smith is a great force in tests, especially against and in the West Indies. He has played two matches and scored 283 runs at an impeccable average of 141.50. The second test between the two nations will begin on 3rd July. The Aussies are 1-0 up already and would look to take an unassailable lead at the National Cricket Stadium, St. Georges, Grenada.