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Following the injury to his finger during the WTC 2025 Final against South Africa, Steve Smith returned to Australia's playing XI for the first time in Grenada. His comeback was brief. Confronting a revitalized West Indies bowling lineup, Smith scored only six deliveries before being dismissed by Alzarri Joseph. With Australia in disarray early, Smith's wicket piled on the top-order misery, putting the visitors in serious trouble at 50/3 on a challenging Day 1 pitch.

Joseph, puffing in with confidence after an early success, generated a short ball well directed that turned out to be a trap too inviting for Steve Smith to resist. Dug in outside off, the delivery had just sufficient grip off the deck to hold up marginally.

Smith, keen to make his mark, set out to launch it over mid-wicket but was premature into the pull. The ball struck the top of his bat and ballooned into the air. Standing at fine leg, Anderson Phillip had to keep his nerves in check, and he did that.

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Following the ball all the way, he gathered the catch safely in front of his face, triggering a flood of celebration from the West Indies team. Smith, clearly frustrated, shook his head as he walked back, aware that he had wasted an opportunity to steady the innings.

For Alzarri, it was vindication, two wickets in a scorching spell, both off taking advantage of bounce and doubt. The dismissal not only spoiled Australia's hopes of a top-order collapse but also sent a message that this West Indies pace attack was here to call the shots.

With the hosts pumped and the crowd in an uproar, Smith's early dismissal contributed to Australia's concern in what is fast turning out to be a bowler-dominated Test.