Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, has expressed confidence in his opening batsmen to regain their form following a lacklustre performance in the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados. Although Australia emerged victorious in a tense finish on day three, the win was primarily secured by outstanding contributions from the bowling unit, especially Josh Hazlewood, who claimed five wickets.
The absence of Steve Smith due to injury was felt, as Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis collectively managed a mere 105 runs across both innings. In contrast, Travis Head alone scored 120 runs while batting at number five, illustrating the struggles of the top order.
In a post-match interview, Cummins acknowledged the difficulties faced by the inexperienced batsmen, particularly Konstas, Inglis, and Green. He noted the challenging nature of the pitch in Barbados, which yielded few substantial partnerships during the match. Cummins remarked that while the top order would have preferred better scores, the reality of Test cricket for young players includes learning to adapt to varying conditions.
He indicated that the batting group would benefit from reflecting on their experiences with the tricky wicket and how they could approach future matches differently. Cummins reiterated the team’s confidence in the batsmen, highlighting their preparation and positive mindset leading into this series.
As the Australian bowlers prepare for the next Test, scheduled to start on Saturday morning (AEST), Cummins provided an update on Smith’s recovery from his finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship final against South Africa. While Smith has started batting with a tennis ball, his availability for the second Test remains uncertain as he continues to assess his progress. Cummins mentioned that Smith will be tested further in the nets over the coming days before any final decision is made regarding his participation.