Australian veteran team back for second Test vs WI

Delhi: Australia announced their playing XI for the second match of the three -Test series against the West Indies on 2 July. Veteran batsman Steve Smith has returned to the team. He did not play the first Test due to injury, which he was in the final of the World Test Championship 2025.

Steve Smith returns

Captain Pat Cummins told that Smith is fully fit and ready for batting. However, instead of slip during fielding, they will be applied on mid-off or fine leg, especially the time of fast bowlers. Cummins said that Smith’s fielding will still have to pay some attention but during the spin he can be seen in the slip.

English out

Josh English has been excluded with Smith’s return. In the first Test, both of them became victims of Jidon seals after scoring 5 and 12 runs. Australia did not make any more changes in the rest of the team and expressed confidence in young batsmen, even if they had faced criticism in the first Test.

Smith’s great record against West Indies

Steve Smith’s record against West Indies is very spectacular. He has scored 872 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 124.57. This includes three centuries and three half -centuries. His best score is 200* run.

This is the first time Australia will play a Test match at St. Georges, Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium. Cummins said that Smith has the ability to read every type of pitch quickly and it will prove beneficial for the team, especially for those players who have not played much tests. Cummins described the pitch as “balanced and good” that has equally grass.

Special test for Brathwaite

On the other hand, the West Indies have not yet announced their playing XI. This test will also be special for his captain Craig Brathwaite, as he will go to play his 100th Test match.

Australia’s playing xi

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