Steve Smith Y vs AUS 2D is likely to return to: Australia Coach

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald is confident of Steve Smith making his comeback to the side in the WI vs AUS 2nd Test. The veteran had suffered a compound dislocation on his finger while fielding during the World Test Championship final. As a result, he was forced to miss the 1st Test in Barbados where Pat Cummins and co. emerged victorious.

Smith to return for WI vs AUS 2nd Test?

As per ESPNCricinfo, Smith rejoined the squad in Barbados on Saturday after spending a week in New York training with a soft cricket ball. Australia coach McDonald said that there was no risk to the long-term health of the finger and expected the former Australian captain to return to the side and resume his responsibilities as number 4 batter.

“It’s really about functionality around the finger rather than anything else. 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,” McDonald said.

Inglis, who replaced Smith at no.4 for the 1st Test, failed to deliver with the bat. He only managed scores of 5 and 12 in both innings. Smith’s return as number 4 batter wil offer more stability to the side’s middle-order.

“In terms of why we see him as No. 4, I think we’ve settled on that. We could slide him up higher if we wanted to. He’s been excellent at number three. But I think if you look at the last 12 months at No. 4 and his ability to stabilise 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,” McDonald added.