Steven Smith batted for the first time since his right-little-finger mishap and, barring any late surprises, should reclaim his place for Thursday’s second Test against West Indies in Grenada. Australia, though, must rethink their cordon because the damaged digit means Smith cannot stand in the slips.
The 35-year-old dislocated the finger at Lord’s three weeks ago, then spent the Barbados Test convalescing in a New York flat. Stitches came out only after he re-joined the touring party, and a splint will stay on for roughly six more weeks. Despite that, medical staff are satisfied the injury will not hamper his batting.
In bright sunshine at the National Stadium on Tuesday – the squad’s first look at the ground – Smith warmed up with throw-downs from Matthew Wade, graduated to Nathan Lyon’s off-spin, and finally handled a shortened burst from Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Neither quick pushed top pace, mindful of the two-day turnaround, yet the session provided the clearest sign Smith is ready.
“He seems pretty confident,” Alex Carey said beforehand. “He’s excited to get back in. It’s been tough at the top of the order, so to add a little bit more experience is good for the group.”
After hitting, Smith tried a few gentle slip catches. The right hand passed the test, but not well enough for full-time duty. He will station himself deeper – point or mid-off is the working plan – while the slip chain shuffles. Beau Webster kept his place at second during practice; Sam Konstas, short leg in Barbados, moved to third; Usman Khawaja again looked comfortable at first to Lyon. Starc caught in the gully and could shift there if Cameron Green slides into the cordon. Conspicuously, Josh Inglis, who deputised at No.4 last week, did no slip work.
Selectors will confirm the XI on match morning, yet the signs point to the straightforward swap: Smith for Inglis, batting at four. The balance otherwise stays intact.
West Indies will not mind seeing less of Smith in the cordon, but they know the bigger threat remains at the crease. He averages 124.57 against them, with 200 in Perth in 2022 and 199 at Sabina Park back in 2015. The most recent meeting, at the Gabba last summer, ended with Smith 91 and West Indies celebrating a famous heist.
“He’s a quality guy, a quality player,” West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said. “Australia is still strong [without him] because of the system they have. They keep on producing guys.”
For Australia, the broader question is rhythm. The side escaped Barbados with a draw after losing three early wickets on each innings. Green’s promotion to opener remains a work in progress, and Konstas is only two Tests into his career. Smith’s return promises stability, but the fielding tweak is a reminder of how close the margins are in a two-match series.
If he does take the field on Thursday, Smith will do so with heavy tape and a splint – the same set-up that limited him to under-arm fielding during rehab. He insists it does not hurt while batting; gripping the seam to throw is the bigger concern. Australia will accept shorter throws from the deep if it means their most prolific post-war batter walks out at four.
No decision is final until the morning inspection, yet the mood inside the touring camp is clear: finger or no finger, Smith is playing. The slips will simply have to cope without him.
