Steve Smith reveals how batting in a baseball cage helped preparation for return from finger injury

An impromptu hit in a New York baseball cage convinced Steve Smith he's ready for the second Test against the West Indies.

The Australian Test star, recovering from a dislocated left little finger, watched his teammates win the series opener from his New York apartment.

Under a bridge near his abode is a baseball batting cage.

"My mate actually told me about it and he was able to throw me a few balls there," Smith said on rejoining the Australian squad ahead of the second Test starting on Thursday in Grenada.

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"I had a couple of bats last week with some tennis balls and incredi-balls (soft-core balls) the first day and then some cricket balls the next day.

"Everything felt good — it was with a slightly bigger splint than this one (currently) so it was probably a little bit trickier getting my hand in the glove.

"But I just got my stitches out and I have got a smaller splint on now so it will be easier getting my hand in the glove."

Smith expected no issues with fielding at training which will confirm his return and push Josh Inglis out of the team.

The finger, damaged when dropping a catch in Australia's World Test Championship loss to South Africa, will be in a splint for at least another month.

"Hitting balls it will be just training as normal," he said.

"And then fielding some balls in front of the wicket, which will probably be the strangest thing for me; I don't think I have 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.

"That's probably going to be the biggest difference."

Smith also defended Australia's batting coach Michael Di Venuto, who should be "under pressure" according to ex-Test great Ian Healy.

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Healy told SEN radio: "Australian cricket's batting head coach, and every state batting coach, should be under pressure because there's not enough runs being scored around the nation."

Smith said the criticism was off-target.

"His knowledge of batting is second to none," Smith said of Di Venuto, who has held the post since 2021.

"He's not the one out there actually doing the batting.

"Guys have to be able to figure it out themselves out in the middle sometimes, you can't have someone holding your hand out there.

"So any criticism of Diva (I am) completely against.

"He has seen cricket all around the world and knows all the conditions.

"He's done a wonderful job for a long time now and the boys really enjoy working with him."

AAP

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