Steve Smith to Return for Second Test Against West Indies

Steve Smith will return from a finger injury for the second test against the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images.

Less than three weeks after badly injuring a finger in the World Test Championship, champion batter Steve Smith will return for the second Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy in place of Josh Inglis.

Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed the selection on the eve of the test match.

When the test begins, It will mark 20 days since Smith suffered a compound fracture in the World Test Championship Final against South Africa while fielding in the slips.

Smith will bat at his usual number 4 - where Inglis batted in the first test - but won't take his usual place in the slips.

Cummins confirmed the superstar will instead spend time roaming the outfield at fine leg and also at mid-off in a bid to minimise the risk of further damage.

Having spent almost a week at his New York home recuperating, Smith joined the Australians after their 159-run victory in the opening Test and has looked in good order in the nets ahead of the Grenada Test.

He took the quirky measure of testing his injured finger in a baseball batting cage in New York.

Cummins said Smith’s experience was invaluable given the Australians were playing at venue where they have never played a Test at before.

No other changes have been made to the Australian XI for the second test match.