Steve Smith returns for second West Indies Test after quick recovery from finger injury

Steve Smith will complete a rapid return to Test cricket, just 20 days after suffering a nasty compound dislocation of his finger.

The batter will bat at No 4 in Australia’s second Test against the West Indies in Grenada, starting at Friday midnight AEST.

Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed Smith would replace Josh Inglis, who played two poor shots to get out in the first Test win last week.

“He’s ready to go, the finger held up well,” Cummins said on Wednesday.

“He was really happy, particularly batting. Fielding we still potentially need to manage it a little bit, so he might not be in the slips too often. Maybe for spin he’ll be OK, but [for the] quicks he might need to wait another week.”

Smith couldn’t take any further part in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s after being forced to hospital following a nasty incident in the field on day three, dislocating his finger as he dropped Temba Bavuma in the 20th over.

But Smith avoided surgery – instead wearing a splint on his right little finger while it heals – allowing him to play sooner than initially thought.

The 36-year-old spent time at his second home in New York after the WTC defeat in London, before flying to join his teammates in the Caribbean.

View image in fullscreen Steve Smith leaves the field injured during day three of the World Test Championship final match at Lord's. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA

Australia have never played a Test at St George’s, and only once previously visited for an ODI back in 2008.

Australia will retain the Frank Worrell Trophy, which they have held since 1995, if they back up their 159-run win in the first Test.

The West Indies haven’t made any changes to their XI from the first Test. Quick Shamar Joseph caused Australia dramas in Bridgetown by taking nine wickets, backing up his match-winning efforts from the Gabba in January 2024.

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The hosts will be desperate to celebrate veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who becomes the 10th West Indian to play 100 Tests.

“He’s a modern-day legend and someone I look up to – I’ve played with him from under-11s,” West Indies captain Roston Chase said.

“He stated before starting his career that he wanted to play 100 Tests so that’s an amazing achievement that someone can set a goal from so early and achieve it after so many years.”

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Brandon King, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

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