Josh Inglis dropped! Steve Smith returns as Australia announce playing XI for 2nd Test against West Indies, batter with 17 runs in previous game dropped

WI vs AUS, 2nd Test: Australia, on July 2, announced their playing XI for the second Test of the three-Test series against West Indies. Australia's veteran batter Steve Smith has returned to the side after missing the series opener due to injury he sustained during World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.

Captain Pat Cummins said that Smith will not be seen the slip cordon, especially for fast bowlers. Due to his injury, he will be seen at mid-off or fine leg.

"He's ready to go, the finger held up well," Cummins said on the eve of the Test. "He was really happy, particularly batting. Fielding we still potentially need to manage it a little bit, so he might not be in the slips too often – maybe for spin he'll be OK, but (for the) quicks he might need to wait another week. So you might see him running around a bit more … probably some variation of mid-off and fine leg, (but) we'll see if he lasts a few days down at fine leg, I reckon he'll be itching to get up in the circle pretty quick."

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Inglis dropped for Smith

Cummins made just one change to the playing XI and trusted the young top order despite backlash from experts and former cricketers. Josh Inglis made way for Smith. Inglis registered scores of 5 and 12 in the first Test. He was dismissed by pacer Jayden Seales in both innings.

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Smith's record against West Indies

Smith has a fantastic record against West Indies. From nine Tests, he has 872 runs at an astonishing average of 124.57. He has three centuries and as many fifties against West Indies in the format. His highest score against West Indies is 200 not out.

This is the first time Australia will be playing a Test at National Cricket Stadium, St Georges, Grenada. Cummins has backed Smith's knowledge and ability to adapt quickly. The pacer's first impression of the pitch is "pretty good wicket" as it has even convering of grass.

"That's one of his great strengths, he's scored runs all over the world and that means that while he's not played a game here, he seems to work out pretty quickly what needs to be done and where your scoring areas are," Cummins said.

"Of course, having that knowledge is going to be helpful, particularly for the guys that haven't really played too many Tests or first-class games on similar wickets.

"There's been four Test matches here, and they've all been spread out so it's hard to know, but it looked like a pretty good wicket … a pretty even coverage of grass.

"It's fun coming in when there's a few unknowns and you've got to think on your feet and you're not quite sure how a game is going to play out."

Milestone for Brathwaite

Meanwhile, West Indies are yet to announce their squad for the must-win encounter. It will mark Kraigg Brathwaite's 100th Test appearance as well.