Steve Smith back for second West Indies Test after dislocated finger

AFP | Sydney

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Steve Smith has recovered from a nasty dislocated finger and will return for Australia’s second Test against the West Indies this week at the expense of Josh Inglis, skipper Pat Cummins said.

Smith hurt his finger while fielding in the slips during the World Test Championship final at Lord’s three weeks ago and was taken to hospital.

It sidelined him for the first Test in Barbados that Australia won by 159 runs, and he was sorely missed with the side’s top order failing to fire.

“He’s ready to go, the finger held up well,” Cummins said on Wednesday at St George’s in Grenada, with the 36-year-old set to bat with a splint.

He will slot back in at number four after Inglis failed to grab his opportunity, making just five and 12.

While Inglis misses out, selectors have kept faith with teenager Sam Konstas as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner and the under-performing Cameron Green at three, resisting any urge to bring back the axed Marnus Labuschagne, who remains with the squad.

The team is otherwise unchanged, with the potent combination of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood once again spearheading the attack.