Steve Smith has recovered from a nasty dislocated finger and will return for Australia's second Test against the West Indies this week at the expense of Josh Inglis, skipper Pat Cummins said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith hurt his finger while fielding in the slips during the World Test Championship final at Lord's three weeks ago and was taken to hospital.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It sidelined him for the first Test in Barbados that Australia won by 159 runs, and he was sorely missed with the side's top order failing to fire.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He's ready to go, the finger held up well," Cummins said on Wednesday at St George's in Grenada, with the 36-year-old set to bat with a splint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He will slot back in at number four after Inglis failed to grab his opportunity, making just five and 12.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Inglis misses out, selectors have kept faith with teenager Sam Konstas as Usman Khawaja's opening partner and the under-performing Cameroon Green at three, resisting any urge to bring back the axed Marnus Labuschagne, who remains with the squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The team is otherwise unchanged, with the potent combination of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood once again spearheading the attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He was really happy, particularly batting," Cummins added of Smith, who is unlikely to field in his usual slip position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Fielding we still potentially need to manage it a little bit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"So he might not be in the slips too often -– maybe for spin he'll be okay, but (for the) quicks he might need to wait another week."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia have never played a Test at St George's, and only once previously visited for a one-dayer in 2008.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cummins said it was an unknown and having vice-captain Smith back to help him problem-solve was a bonus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That's one of his great strengths," he said of the 117-Test veteran.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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."<\/p>\r\n\r\n