Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald is confident that star batter Steve Smith will be ready to play the second Test against the West Indies, starting on July 3. Smith missed the first match after hurting his finger in the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s.

But he’s healing well and is already back to batting practice in New York. Captain Pat Cummins shared this good news, and McDonald also said Smith is likely to play. McDonald made it clear that Smith will bat at number four, and the rest of the batting line-up will be arranged around him.

THE RETURN OF STEVE SMITH ⏳

- Steve Smith is likely to play in the 2nd Test against West Indies. pic.twitter.com/cPmxnZM9uA

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 2, 2025

“We’re happy with him at number four. He’s been really good there over the last year. He can bat higher if we need, but at four he gives us stability. He’s one of our best ever batters, so we want to keep things settled around him,” McDonald said.

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In Smith’s absence, Josh Inglis filled in at number four in the first Test but didn’t do well, scoring only 5 and 12. Australia also left out Marnus Labuschagne after his struggles as an opener in the WTC Final. If Smith is fit, Inglis is expected to make way so that Australia can try to win the series at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada.

 Australia Playing XI

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