‘We back them in': Australia to persist with wobbly top order as Smith comeback looms
Bridgetown: Pat Cummins says Steve Smith will rejoin Australia's squad this weekend and could be cleared to return for the second Test in Grenada, as the side's under-pressure top order looks to bounce back from a shaky start to the West Indies tour.
Smith has been facing tennis balls in New York as part of his recovery from a compound finger dislocation he sustained during last month's World Test Championship final.
If Smith passes a fitness test in the nets early next week in the Caribbean, he is expected to slot back into the side for the second Test, which starts on Thursday, likely at the expense of Josh Inglis, who batted at No.4 this week without much success.
'He's had a few hits over in New York with a tennis ball and an incrediball [a softer training ball],' Cummins said. 'I think his wound is looking good. The next stage is to come over here and hit some balls in the nets. I think we'll know more over the next couple of days.
'He's not a certainty. I think he's got a few things to tick off. So we'll work that out over the next few days. Of course if he's fit, he'll be straight back in.'
Australia's bowlers set up a 159-run win in the first Test in Barbados, but the top order failed to fire in tough conditions. Sam Konstas (three and five), Cameron Green (three and 15) and Inglis (five and 12) were all dismissed cheaply.
Cummins said he did not anticipate selectors would consider sweeping changes despite the modest returns.
'You saw how tricky that was,' Cummins said. 'There weren't many 50-run partnerships throughout the whole game and of course the top order would like to score some more runs.
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