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Important SN update for SouthlandHow a New York net session has Smith primed for second Test
Andrew Slevison • June 30th, 2025 1:09 pm
Steve Smith is confident he will return to the Australian side for the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada later this week.
Smith suffered a compound dislocation of his right pinky finger while attempting to take a catch in slips during the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s a little over two weeks ago.
As a result he missed the first Frank Worrell Trophy Test in Barbados with Josh Inglis batting in his place at number four.
But after getting through a surprise net session in New York it is expected that Smith will step back in on Friday as the Aussies look to wrap up the series following their fighting 159-run victory at Bridgetown.
“It's been pretty quiet for me, I haven't been able to do a great deal. I haven't really been able to sweat with this splint on,” the vice-captain told SEN Cricket.
“I got my stitches out today, and things are going well. The wound is looking good, my movement is good, and I've had a couple of hits in New York.
“It's good to be back here in the Caribbean and ready to prepare for the next game.”
Smith explained how his strange net session in New York came about.
“A mate of mine found some batting cages with synthetic on the Upper West Side,” he said.
“It was cool to go up there. He threw me some balls and everything went really well, I’m really comfortable.”
Asked by Bharat Sundaresan if he is confident that he’ll play, Smith replied: “Yeah. There was no pain in the hits I’ve had so far.
“I (now) get a chance to just train normally and face the bowlers. The most uncomfortable thing was getting my hand in the glove with a splint that was a lot thicker. That will be a little easier now that it’s smaller and the wound has healed.
“I’m pretty confident everything will be good.”
Known for his work as one of the world’s best slips fielders, Smith may be forced to park up in non-catching positions when the Aussies are bowling.
“It’s going to be pretty foreign to me,” he continued.
“I've spent pretty much my entire career in the slips, both for pace and spin. So, fielding either in front of the wicket or down at fine leg might be a little different to what I've done in the past, but I'm looking forward to it.
“It's something a little bit different.”
Smith admits the pitch prepared in Bridgetown might have given him some problems if he did suit up for the first Test.
“Probably not the worst one to miss as a batter,” he added.
“A few of those balls looked like they were taking off and hitting a few of the digits. It probably wouldn't have been a good one for me.
“But I think the guys did a great job, particularly the batters on Day 3 morning when the game was in the balance.”
Aussie coach Andrew McDonald suggested on the weekend that Smith would indeed return to the lineup at his preferred batting position of four.
“It’s really about functionality around the finger rather than anything else,” McDonald said.
“There’ll be no risk to 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.
“He’ll (also) train the day before (the match). If that all goes well, then I’d expect Steve to resume at No.4.”
The second Test between West Indies and Australia kicks off at St George’s in Grenada from 12am AEST on Friday, July 4.
You can hear all the action LIVE across the SEN network.
