Credit: Cricket Australia
The Australian Cricket team has announced the playing XI for the second Test against the hosts West Indies which is scheduled to be played at Grenada National Cricket Stadium from July 3 to July 8. One of the great news for the Australian fans is that their star batter Steve Smith is back in the playing XI after missing the first Test due to finger injury. Notably, Smith dislocated his finger while fielding during the recently ended World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lords.
Smith was taken to the hospital and was sidelined for the first Test in Barbados. This also affected Australia’s batting lineup as they were bowled out for 180 runs in the first innings. However, it didn’t make much of an effect on the match result as the visitors posted 301 runs in the second innings and went on to win the match by 159 runs.
Smith might not be in the slips too often: Pat Cummins
Australian skipper Pat Cummins confirmed Steve Smith’s return in the playing XI for the second Test against West Indies and will be coming in place of Josh Inglis. However, Cummins also said that Smith will not be seen standing at the slips as he recently recovered from the finger injury and the management don’t want to take any risk.
“He’s ready to go, the finger held up well," Cummins was quoted as saying by News18. “He was really happy, particularly batting. Fielding we still potentially need to manage a little bit. So he might not be in the slips too often – maybe for spin he’ll be okay, but for the quicks he might need to wait another week,” he further added.
Australia’s playing XI for 2nd Test vs West Indies: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
