Australia’s batting line up is set to be boosted significantly as star batter Steve Smith is likely to rejoin the squad by sunday for the second test against West Indies.
Aussies is set to play three match test series in Australia’s tour of West Indies 2025 where the visitors lead the series 1-0. Pat Cummins has confirmed that Smith resumed batting practice after dislocating his finger during the World Test Championship Final.
Steve Smith had flown to his home in New York to continue his rehab, and missed the opening test. “He’s had a few hits over in New York, which I think was with a tennis ball and an incredi-ball,” said Cummins.
“I think his wound is looking good, so the next stage is to come over here and hit some balls in the nets. So we’ll know more over the next few days.”
Marnus Labuschagne getting the axe, Australia’s top four struggled in the first Test in the absence of Steve Smith even though they won the match. In the first innings, they were reduced to 22/3 and in the second, the top four returned back to pavilion with 65 runs on board.
However, Cummins reiterated that the team management would back their young batters.
“You saw today how tricky a wicket that was, there weren’t too many 50-run partnerships throughout the whole game,” Cummins said.
“Of course, the top order would like to score some more runs. The challenge of Test cricket, especially for young players, is when you get thrown different conditions, you’ve got to find a way to be effective. That’s the challenge for our young batting group.”
Australia pulled off a comfortable 159 run victory in the first game against West Indies after putting a 300 target for the hosts. The hosts went on lose all 10 wickets for scoring 141 runs at Barbados. Travis Head was named as the Player of the Match for hitting back to back fifties in the game.
The second match of the test series will begin on July 03 at National Cricket Stadium, Grenada.
