Steve Smith returns to Australia’s playing XI for WI vs AUS 2nd Test

Australia cricket team have made just one change to their playing XI for the WI vs AUS 2nd Test in Grenada. Former captain Steve Smith, who missed the 1st Test as he was recovering from a compound dislocation on his finger, returns to the side and has been slotted at his usual position at number 4. Australia started their new WTC campaign on a victorious note by winning the 1st Test, which was marred with controversies.

Australia’s playing XI for WI vs AUS 2nd Test

Usman Khawaja
Sam Konstas
Cameron Green
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Beau Webster
Alex Carey (WK)
Pat Cummins (C)
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood

Ahead of the contest, Cummins confirmed that while Smith returns to the playing XI, he will not be fielding at the slips. He said that the veteran might be positioned there for spinners but will take at least another week to return to the slip cordon for pacers.

“So you might see him running around a bit more … probably some variation of mid-off and fine leg, (but) we’ll see if he lasts a few days down at fine leg, I reckon he’ll be itching to get up in the circle pretty quick,” Cummins said.

Sam Konstas, who faced twin failures in the Barbados Test, has yet another golden opportunity to repay the faith of the selectors. Green has the captain’s batting for an extended stint at number 3 where he has failed to fire thus far. Josh Inglis, who occupied the number 4 slot in Smith’s absence, has made way for the veteran to return to the XI.

Australia have made no changes to their bowling line-up. Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are their primary pacers with Beau Webster serving as the fourth. Nathan Lyon remains the sole specialist spinner in the playing XI.