Steve Smith can return in the second test match against West Indies, doing special exercises to recover

Steve Smith, one of Australia’s most experienced and reliable batsmen, suffered a serious injury during the final of the last World Test Championship (WTC), which was held between Australia and South Africa. The incident occurred when Smith was batting, and he sustained a painful injury to the little finger of his left hand. The injury was severe enough that Smith had to leave the match and seek immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, the damage not only ruled him out of the remainder of the WTC final but also kept him sidelined for the opening match of the current Test series against the West Indies.

Smith’s absence in the first Test was a major setback for the Australian side, even though they managed to secure a commanding 159-run victory. The 36-year-old right-handed batsman has been a pillar in Australia’s Test lineup for over a decade, and his absence was certainly felt. However, positive news is emerging for the Aussies, as Smith is now reportedly making good progress in his recovery. He is undergoing special training and exercises to regain fitness, raising hopes that he might return for the second Test match of the series, scheduled to be played at Sabina Park in Jamaica from July 12.

Currently, Steve Smith is in New York, where he has taken a unique approach to his rehabilitation. He has been training using a baseball batting gauge—a tool often used by baseball players to improve hand-eye coordination and batting technique. Speaking to Cricbuzz about his recovery, Smith mentioned that he used the batting gauge in a shaded area due to the hot weather, with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius. He added that a friend had introduced him to the facility, and he was able to get in some valuable practice sessions with a few throws.

Providing further updates on his condition, Smith said that his stitches had been removed and that he now had only a small bandage on his injured finger. This development has made it much easier for him to put on his batting gloves and handle the bat comfortably. Encouragingly, Smith mentioned that he was not experiencing any pain, and although there was a slight limitation in movement, things were steadily improving. He emphasized that his hand now had a good range of motion, and most importantly, he felt no discomfort while hitting the ball during practice.

This progress has generated optimism about Smith’s potential return for the second Test. Given the importance of the match and Smith’s value to the team, Australia would certainly benefit from having him back in the lineup. His experience, calm under pressure, and ability to play long innings make him an indispensable asset in any format of the game, especially in Test cricket.

Australia’s strong performance in the first match, where they defeated West Indies by 159 runs, has given them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. A win in the second Test would seal the series for the Aussies, and having Smith back could further strengthen their chances. Fans and team management alike will be keeping a close eye on his fitness updates over the coming days.

As of now, all signs point toward a potential return, but the final decision will depend on how well Smith adapts during practice sessions leading up to the second Test. One thing is certain—Smith’s determination to recover and his unique approach to training reflect the commitment and passion he brings to the game of cricket.