‘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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News.com.au
7 hours ago
- News.com.au
Coffs Harbour preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday, June 29, 2025
This time last year talented hoop Brock Ryan was out of the saddle and had his mind on other things after taking a break from racing. But fast forward to midway through 2025 and he's back and riding better than ever with seven winners from 30 rides. But most importantly, he's got the buzz back for the grind that is the racing game and said he was able to keep pretty fit during his time away from the saddle. 'It's been good getting back into the swing of things,' Ryan said. 'My manager has been able to get me on some good rides and I've had good support from my old contacts and old trainers I used to ride for. 'The weight pretty much stayed around the same because I was working out on my feet all day and still surfing quite a bit so all that probably helped.' The three time Group 2-winning jockey has had more than 3700 rides in his career but none of those have been around the Coffs Harbour circuit. Normally plying his trade south of Sydney, Ryan got the call from his manager that trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith was looking for a jockey to partner his horses at Coffs Harbour. With Ryan already halfway there after riding two gallopers at Newcastle on Saturday, he was happy to make the extra trip up the Pacific Highway where he's been booked to ride in six of the eight races on the card. 'My manager is pretty close to Noel Mayfield-Smith and he was just looking for a jockey so my manager asked if I'd like to head up there,' Ryan said. 'I thought 'I'm already halfway there' so told him I may as well press on and I've been given a few nice rides as well which is good.' It will be a mini holiday for the Illawarra-based hoop, who grew up in Yamba, which is about an hour and a half north of Coffs Harbour. 'I grew up in Yamba so my parents will get to come down and watch me for the day so that will be good.' Two of the horses Ryan is most keen to partner with are Monte Tiara in race 4 and Monte Outlander in race 7. That's because he had a bit to do with both of them at their previous stable when in care of Robert and Luke Price at Kembla Grange. 'I had a bit to do with those two (Monte Outlander and Monte Tiara) when they were back with Rob and Luke so it will be good to ride them both. 'I'm pretty sure I rode Monte Tiara at her second start at Nowra and I rode Monte Outlander a few times as well. 'From just looking at the form of the races, they both look well placed so hopefully I can give them a good steer and get the job done.' Most of Ryan's rides are for Mayfield-Smith but his first of the day will be for trainer Jason Deamer. Deamer is set to saddle up talented three-year-old Piccaderro for his second start for the stable after starting off with Ciaron Maher. 'He looks like a pretty nice horse that had some good form at his last stable,' Ryan said. 'Just looking at his first-up run, I think he'll take a good bit of fitness into the next one and we're drawn pretty well down on the inside. 'He had barrier nine of nine at that Hawkesbury run so hopefully he can do a bit less work in the early stages and have enough left in the tank to hold them off late.' â– â– â– â– â– COFFS BARBOUR TIPS BEST BET Race 1 No.1: PICCADERRO Ex-Ciaron Maher-trained horse made stable debut for Jason Deamer at Hawkesbury. Drew barrier nine of nine and had to do a bit of work to work forward from a wide barrier. VALUE BET Race 7 No.7: CASIRINA Got too far back last time out in Wauchope Cup. Drops 1.5kg on that run and has a decent record around Coffs. QUADDIE Race 5: 6 Race 6: 1,6 Race 7: 1,3,5,7 Race 8: 1,2 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Group 2-winning hoop BROCK RYAN has six rides, and plenty look like winning hopes. â– â– â– â– â– COFFS BARBOUR INSIDE MAIL 1:RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1315m) Jason Deamer looks to have found the right race for PICCADERRO (1) at his second start for the stable. Drew barrier nine of nine first-up at Hawkesbury and had to do a bit of work early but he's got the inside barrier here with Group 2-winning jockey Brock Ryan booked to ride. SMASHING NOVA (4) had a weird run on debut. He went forward to settle in front before drifting back to be third last as they swung for home. Ran on for third and should improve. PIEDI VELOCI (2) hasn't been far off at her last couple and outside of the top two, this race looks pretty wide open. BET: PICCADERRO to win. RACE 2: MAIDEN PLATE (1515m) NOT MY PROBLEM (11) looks set to peak third-up into her preparation after narrowly being touched off at Port Macquarie last time out. Should be up there on the speed and hard to get past with the extra fitness. CAUSEWAYS (1) went up to Rockhampton last start and was slow away from an inside barrier. DOLLARS (3) was backed last start at Newcastle and failed to get the cash but did run well for second and there's scope for improvement second-up. Like Piccaderro, Dollars used to be trained by Ciaron Maher. PURPLE HAZE (5) gets here off three sound efforts to start his career. Drawn tricky but in the mix. BET: NOT MY PROBLEM to win. BEEBEE (1) was first-up off more than a year last time out at Port Macquarie and ran as good as she could have. Drawn well in barrier two and gets a bit of weight relief with Jett Newman retaining the ride. Can break the maiden status here. MISS AURORA (7) is a former Victorian raider having her first start up north. No public trial but from what she showed at her previous stable, the talent is there. SIVO (3) chased hard for third last time out at Coffs Harbour behind Dizzy Dee. Like the former Parramatta winger he's named after, Luke Rolls can get him to the outside and fly home. BET: BEEBEE to win. STYLISED (1) carried a big weight in a strong Class 2 at Port Macquarie last time out. She carries a big weight again here but the race she's found is much easier than the previous. Leanne Boyd takes 3kg off and that should prove handy. HURRICANE HARLOW (4) drawn off the track and gets here off a freshen up. Has plenty of early speed so she should be able to cross and lead. MONTE TIANA (8) is ridden by Brock Ryan, who partnered her at start number two when she was stabled at Kembla Grange. Hasn't liked the heavy tracks at the last few runs. BET: STYLISED each-way. There wouldn't be many former Joseph O'Brien-trained gallopers tackling Coffs Harbour before but that's what ZELESTIAL (6) does here. At her third start for Lyle Chandler, she hit the line well at her last start and did win first-up at Tamworth. Likely to be short but should be hard to roll. SHALAMINYNA (7) recorded a dominant victory first-up at Taree at her first start for Paul Kelly. Drawn a bit more tricky this time but should improve off the run. HAZE (1) gets here off some good runs prior to heading for a spell having won by four lengths on the Beaumont track at Newcastle two back before a runner up finish at Quirindi. Likely to improve off the run but should be hitting the line hard. BET: ZELESTIAL to win. SAMMY CONQUERS ALL (1) contested a red hot race at Eagle Farm last month. Gets here off a freshen up with a tick over trial in between to keep him fit and up to the mark. Should be too good for these here with Brock Ryan in the saddle. BOAMBEE BEACH (9) doesn't win that often but broke through last time out here at Coffs Harbour over 1005m. Loves racing at the track with another four placings on the record from seven starts. KAYZ TIME (6) is building a strong record with two wins from six starts and should be right at her top third-up. SIR BOO (2) turned in a big run at odds last time out at Grafton. Should be peaking third-up into the campaign here. BET: SAMMY CONQUERS ALL to win. CASIRINA (7) got too far back last time out at Port Macquarie in the Wauchope Cup and it was tough to make ground from there. Drops 1.5kg on that run and has a decent record around Coffs Harbour. RUSSIAN RONI (1) hasn't won since the Tasmanian Guineas in 2023 but is getting better at each start for Kris Lees. Drops a kilo on his last run and maps to get a similar run in transit. INDIFFERENCE (3) has had two runs in stronger races to start the campaign off. Should get his chance to break through here. MONTE OUTLANDER (10) needs a bit of luck from a poor barrier. MR DAMAGE (1) hasn't raced since January in a preparation where he never finished outside of the first four. Luke Rolls should be able to put him into the race from an inside barrier and it's worth noting he does have a strong first-up record. DE FORZA (2) gets here first-up off a break after doing plenty at his first preparation. He's notably the only colt racing at Coffs Harbour today. LOVE RAT (4) had no luck at all last start but did win before that. Drawn better here in gate six. SPEEDY TARGET (6) next best.
The Age
11 hours ago
- The Age
‘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.
Sydney Morning Herald
11 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘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.
