“It felt like he was stuck at times and was over aggressive and then underplayed,” McDonald said. “It’s really that balance and tempo. He’s got that there, and that’s a step-up to Test cricket [when] the pressure’s on. He’s got a really good partner down the other end. All we ask for is a bit of patience and time with it.
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“We’ve had some conversations around potentially, if you’re in that situation again, what does that look like?
“He knows his deficiencies. He’ll learn to play with what he’s got. These guys are on a journey. They’re starting out and some people get there faster than others.”
Smith rejoined teammates in Barbados on Saturday afternoon local time and is set to undergo a fitness test on his injured finger at Australia’s main training session on Tuesday, two days out from the next match.
McDonald said if Smith is cleared he will bat at No.4. He also threw his support behind Cameron Green at No.3, despite returns of three and 15.
“It feels like he’s almost starting his Test career again,” McDonald said of Green. “I think he’s got the temperament and the technique to bat anywhere in that order. We see him as [our] No.3.
“It’s not that long ago he got 174 on a difficult wicket in New Zealand.”
The team is comfortable keeping Head at No.5, particularly after knocks of 59 and 61 earned him man of the match honours.
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McDonald praised Josh Hazlewood’s match-winning five-wicket haul in the final session of day three as “incredible” and a product of his “relentless line and length”.
Meanwhile, Webster’s outstanding start to Test cricket – he has 305 runs at 43.57 with only two scores under 23 – is also a source of pride for the coach given his positive approach at the crease.
“He’s showing incredible maturity at the crease and I love his intent to score in all situations,” McDonald said.
“He allows us to manage the fast bowlers … and ‘Slug’ knows his game.”
