Smith return locked in as Cummins calls for more proactive batting approach

St George’s, Grenada: Test captain Pat Cummins has called on Australia’s batters to adapt faster and play more proactively in the second Test against the West Indies, as Steve Smith makes his return to the XI.

On the eve of the match in Grenada, Cummins confirmed what had always been anticipated – Smith will slot back in at No.4, with Josh Inglis omitted after scores of 5 and 12 in the first Test. Otherwise, Australia will field an unchanged XI.

A thumbs up from Steve Smith.Credit: Getty Images

Inglis had an opportunity to secure his place with a big performance in Barbados, potentially at the expense of Cameron Green, but couldn’t capitalise in Australia’s 159-run win.

Smith, who suffered a finger injury in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, trained again without issue on Wednesday and has been given the green light to return.

Cummins said he would make sure Smith isn’t in the firing line in the field.

“He was really happy, particularly batting. He seemed fine and he’s ready to go. The finger held up well,” Cummins said. “Fielding he potentially needs to manage, so he might not be in the slips too often. Maybe for the spin he’ll be OK. For the quicks he might need to wait another week. You might see him running around a bit.”

Although Australia wrapped up victory inside three days in Barbados, the batting group knows it has more to give.

The skipper wants to see his side put the pressure back on the West Indies quicks – Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph – on what is expected to be a more batter-friendly surface.

With Australia yet to play a Test in Grenada, the stage could be set for a breakout innings from opener Sam Konstas, but he was a notable absentee from the team’s optional training session.

“[The message has been] just being a little bit quicker to adapt,” Cummins said of the team’s batsmen. “It got difficult at times. With the ball changes, that made it a tricky time for the batsmen. I think [it is about] just being sharper … and a lot of the conversations have been around keep ticking the scoreboard over and make yourself hard to be bowled at.

“That’s one of [Smith’s] great strengths. He’s scored runs all over the world. Whilst he’s maybe not played a game [on the tour], he seems to work out pretty well quickly what needs to be done and where your scoring areas are.

“Bowling-wise, we’re pretty happy. We dropped a couple of catches, but everyone works hard on that.”

Selectors will make a call after this Test whether they send Marnus Labuschagne to the UK for some county cricket or back to Australia.

The axed No.3 continues to train to hard, waiting his turn long after the main batsmen have hit their fair share of balls.

Australia’s Sam Konstas plays a shot on day two in Barbados.Credit: AP

The Australians have enjoyed their extra time off after the first Test and the laid-back nature of Grenada, an island with a population of roughly 115,000.

The chef who cooked Cummins’ omelette at the team hotel on Wednesday morning claimed to have done the same for Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist during Australia’s victorious 2007 World Cup campaign.

“That obviously went well for Australia,” Cummins said. “Everyone you meet here knows what’s going on in the cricket. It does seem like cricket is the No.1 sport.”

Meanwhile, the West Indies are considering selecting an extra pace bowler to replace spinner Jomel Warrican but won’t make a decision until the toss.

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