Smith Eyes Test Return After Baseball Cage Rehab

Steven Smith is eyeing a return to the Australian lineup for the second Test against the West Indies, following an unconventional recovery method in New York. The star batsman utilized a baseball batting cage to accelerate his rehabilitation from a dislocated finger.

Smith missed the opening Test of the series. © Getty

The Australian cricketer revealed that hitting tennis balls, soft balls, and eventually cricket balls in the cage allowed him to test his hand in conditions mirroring the Caribbean heat.

"Underneath this bridge there was a batting cage," Smith told reporters. "It was ideal because it was pretty warm, like 36 degrees Celsius, so it was good to be in the shade. My mate actually told me about it and he was able to throw me a few balls there."

Smith sustained a compound dislocation of his right little finger during the World Test Championship final against South Africa. This injury forced him to miss the first Test in Barbados, where he spent his time recovering in his New York apartment.

The 36-year-old expressed optimism about his finger's condition and anticipates participating fully in training in Grenada.

"Everything felt good... I just got my stitches out and I've got a smaller splint on now, so it'll be easier getting my hand in the glove," Smith stated. "I don't really feel any pain or anything. [It's] just getting used to the splint on and the slight limited movement. It's not too bad, I've got a lot of movement there now, so that feels good. Hitting the ball felt completely fine."

Smith also acknowledged the difficulty of being sidelined in Barbados. "I was honestly just bored here," he confessed. "I couldn't do anything, I couldn't sweat, and I was sort of stuck in the room doing nothing. I've got the apartment four-and-a-half hours away. Dani was back there, the dogs were there... so I went back to sit in the air conditioning and watch the boys play."

To secure his spot in the second Test, Smith will need to demonstrate his fitness during training on Tuesday. He is also preparing for potentially unfamiliar fielding positions.

"Fielding some balls in front of the wicket will probably be the strangest thing for me. I don't think I've ever done that in a Test match. Fielding at either mid-on, mid-off or fine leg, a bit different to standing at second or first slip."