Australia will be counting on the experience and class of Steve Smith to shore up their top order as they look to clinch the series against the West Indies in the second Test starting Thursday at the National Stadium in Grenada.
The visitors edged the first Test with a dramatic finish on the final day, but skipper Pat Cummins was candid about their struggles with the bat. Australia slumped to 22 for 3 and 65 for 4 in their two innings, only to claw back thanks to their formidable bowling attack.
We’ve spoken about it: The bowling was superb, but we can’t be 3 or 4 down early too often. That’s where someone like Smithy makes a big difference.
Smith missed the series opener due to the finger he dislocated in the World Test Championship final but has now been drafted straight back into the XI. He batted comfortably for over half an hour during Wednesday’s training session, though he will still need to wear a splint for another five weeks.
He’s ready to go, the finger held up well. He was really happy, particularly batting. Fielding, we still need to manage it a little bit, so you might see him running around at mid-off or fine leg rather than slip for the quicks.
Cummins said Smith’s ability to adapt quickly would be vital on a ground that has hosted only four Tests in the past 23 years — and never one involving Australia.
That’s one of his great strengths. He’s scored runs all over the world. Even though he hasn’t played here, he works out pretty quickly what needs to be done and where your scoring areas are. That knowledge is going to be so helpful, especially for the guys who haven’t played on similar wickets.
While Australia’s bowling group—Cummins himself, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Beau Webster—were outstanding in the first Test, the unpredictable Grenada surface remains an unknown.
There’s been four Test matches here, and they’ve all been spread out. It’s hard to know, but it looked like a pretty good wicket…a pretty even coverage of grass.
The West Indies, meanwhile, are still grappling with inconsistency. After dismissing Australia for 180 in the first innings of the opening Test, they squandered a chance to take control. Roston Chase and Shai Hope provided some resistance, but the hosts managed only a slender 10-run lead before collapsing again in the second innings.
Captain Roston Chase said improvement across the board was non-negotiable if they are to level the series. “We know we had an opportunity and didn’t capitalise,” Chase said. “This match is massive for us. We have to bat longer and be a lot more disciplined in our approach.”
One bright spot will be Kraigg Brathwaite reaching a major milestone, as he becomes only the 10th West Indian to play 100 Test matches.
It’s an amazing feat. He’s the third Bajan player to do it, so that’s tremendous in itself. The last guy to do it for West Indies was Chris Gayle, so it says a lot for Kraigg.
To strengthen their attack, West Indies are weighing whether to bring in an extra seamer, Anderson Phillip, possibly at the expense of left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.
Probable XIs: West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Roston Chase (capt), Shai Hope (wk), Justin Greaves, Anderson Phillip, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales; Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
