Steven Smith Targets Test Return After Unique Baseball Cage Recovery in New York

Steven Smith is eyeing a comeback in the second Test against the West Indies after utilizing an unconventional training method in New York. He employed a baseball batting cage to accelerate the recovery of his dislocated finger.

Smith sidelined for the first Test due to injury. © Getty

The Australian batsman revealed that he hit tennis balls, soft balls, and eventually cricket balls in the batting cage, which provided heat similar to that of the Caribbean, allowing him to test his injured hand.

"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. Consequently, with his finger heavily bandaged, he was forced to miss the first Test in Barbados and spent time in his New York apartment.

The veteran cricketer, aged 36, stated that his finger now feels much better, 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."

Smith confessed that his time away from the game 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."

To secure his place in the second Test, Smith needs to demonstrate his fitness during training on Tuesday. He is also preparing for potential new 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."