Steve Smith set to be fit for second Test vs West Indies

Australia’s No.4 batter Steve Smith is set to be fit for the second Test against West Indies, scheduled to start on Thursday, July 3 at the National Cricket Stadium, St George's in Grenada. Notably, Australia bagged a 159-run win in the first Test to start the three-match series 1-0.

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It’s important to note that Smith suffered a finger dislocation during the WTC 2025 Final against South Africa at Lord’s in London, which Australia lost by five wickets. However, Smith spent the last week in New York, having net sessions against tennis balls and was set to rejoin the squad.

With Smith coming into the XI and occupying the No.4 spot, Josh Inglis, who didn’t have a decent Test outing in the opening game of the series, is expected to come out of the XI, as confirmed by the head coach, Andrew McDonald.

"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.

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"He'll [also] train the day before [the match]. If that all goes well, then I'd expect Steve to resume at No. 4. We want to keep him [Smith] at four and build around that rather than potentially risking too many moves in the order,” he added.

If Smith makes it to the remainder of the three-match Test series, Marnus Labuschagne is expected to be released from the squad. Notably, Marnus was excluded from the playing XI for the first Test, with Sam Konstas taking his opening spot.

On the other hand, Marnus will get some time with Glamorgan or in the Australia A series against Sri Lanka A in Darwin, starting next month.

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