Smith Targets Test Return After Innovative Baseball Cage Rehab in New York

Steven Smith is eyeing a return to the Australian lineup for the second Test against the West Indies after utilizing an unconventional training method in New York.

Steven Smith sidelined for the first Test. © Getty

To accelerate his recovery from a dislocated finger, Smith took to a baseball batting cage in New York. There he faced tennis balls, soft balls, and eventually cricket balls in conditions mirroring the Caribbean heat. This allowed him to test his hand's readiness for the rigors of Test cricket.

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

Now 36 years old, Smith reports that his finger feels recovered, and he 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 explained. "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."

The veteran batsman confessed that his time on the sidelines in Barbados was challenging. "I was honestly just bored here," he said. "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."

Smith's participation in the second Test hinges on passing a fitness test during training on Tuesday. He is also preparing for some potential changes in his 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."