FILE PHOTO: Cricket - 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final - South Africa v Australia - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 11, 2025 Australia's Steve Smith celebrates after reaching his half century Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
(Reuters) -Australia are set to be reinforced by Steve Smith's return to their top order but may miss his reassuring presence in the slip cordon in the second test against West Indies in Grenada this week.
Smith missed Australia's victory in the series opener in Bridgetown with a dislocated finger in his right hand, an injury suffered during the World Test Championship final against South Africa last month.
The 36-year-old has reunited with the squad at the National Cricket Stadium and is likely to replace Josh Inglis, who managed five and 12 batting at number four in Bridgetown, in the second test beginning on Thursday.
"Anytime you add 10,000 runs back into the line-up, you're going to be pretty happy with it," Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey said of Smith's impending return after their training on Tuesday.
"He seems pretty confident, so he's excited to get back in.
"It's been tough at the top of the order, so to add a little bit more experience is good for the group, but I think they've (been) doing a pretty good job as well."
Australia were all out for 180 in the first innings in the opening test and were 65-4 in the second before fifties by Travis Head, Beau Webster and Carey propped them up.
Smith did some catching practice but ESPNcricinfo reported he would not take his usual position in the slip cordon.
West Indies have a bigger headache with their slip cordon having spilled seven catches in the opening match to let Australia off the hook.
"I think the biggest thing is we shot ourselves in the foot," West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said.
"You cannot drop seven catches against the world's number one team and expect to compete."
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
