Teammate facing the axe as Steve Smith takes big step towards playing second Test

Yahoo

a day ago

Steve Smith is set to make a comeback into the men's national side for the second Test against the West Indies having made a shock appearance in a New York batting cage with Josh Inglis set to make way. Smith suffered a compound dislocation in his side's World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa and sat out the first victory against the West Indies in Barbados.
While he was expected to be out of action for a little longer as he recovered from the ugly injury, Smith admitted an impromptu batting session in New York convinced him he was ready to go. Although he still needs to convince the coaching staff. 'Underneath this bridge there was a batting cage,' Smith said having flown from New York to Barbados to join the team.
'It was ideal because it was pretty warm, like 36C … so it was good to be in the shade. My mate actually told me about it, and he was able to throw me a few balls there.
'I had a couple of bats last week with some tennis balls and incredi-balls the first day and then some cricket balls the next day. Everything felt good; it was with a slightly bigger splint than this one as well, so it was probably a little bit trickier getting my hand in the glove.
'But I just got my stitches out and I've got a smaller splint on now, so it'll be easier getting my hand in the glove.' The move has surprised fans with Smith linking up with his teammates and is set to return as Australia look to wrap-up the series with another victory.
However, Smith's comeback likely spells the end of Inglis' short return to the team. Inglis had an opportunity to score some runs in the first Test, but like most of the batting line-up struggled at the crease. Smith will most likely slot right back into his No.4 position, where Inglis filled-in, in the second Test.
But Inglis wasn't the only one struggling for runs. Opener Sam Konstas struggled on his return to the XI, but has been backed to remain in the side.
All eyes were on Konstas and Cameron Green having taken over the opening role and No.3 position for the West Indies tour with plenty expected of them after their WTC final struggles. And both looked lost against the West Indies quicks with Konstas in particularly struggling.
But coach Andrew McDonald claimed the opener will be given time to prove himself in the three Test matches with the Ashes approaching. "We've had some conversations around, 'potentially if you're in that situation again, what does that look like?' and that's what experience is," McDonald told reporters in Barbados.
"It's learning from previous events and trying to implement a way through that. It felt like he was stuck at times and he was over-aggressive and then (he) underplayed. It's really that balance and tempo ... that's a step up to Test cricket.
"He's got a really good partner down the other end (Usman Khawaja). That, over time, I think, will play out. That's all we ask for - a bit of patience and time with a young player coming into Test cricket."
Konstas' front-pad was exposed in the first Test against the West Indies and coach McDonald claimed the batter is aware of where he needs to improve. "He knows his deficiencies," McDonald said.
"But, from a batting perspective, I encourage all players to learn to play with their deficiencies. I don't think there's such a thing as a perfect technique. If that's what you're looking for then I think you're looking in the wrong place."