Smith Out Of Third Test

Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Test at Headingley after suffering a concussion at Lord’s last time out. The 30-year-old, who scored a century in each innings as the Aussies won the first Test at Edgbaston by 251 runs, was hit by a rapid Jofra Archer bouncer in the second Test and forced to leave the pitch.

He returned to make 92 before finally being dismissed but did not bat in the Baggy Greens’ second innings, with Marnus Labuschagne becoming the first ‘concussion substitute’ in Test history. There has been no word on who will replace the former Aussie skipper in Leeds but, having scored 59 in a solid rearguard action, Labuschagne has put himself in the frame.

Having passed an initial concussion test, Smith returned to continue his innings in Birmingham, with a few medical excepts suggesting that should not have happened. It was the next day that he complained of concussion and the decision has been made to rest him from this week’s encounter in Yorkshire. Coach Justin Langer confirmed his absence after Smith sat out Australia’s training session on Tuesday.