STEVE Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test in Leeds having failed to recover in time from the concussion he sustained at Lord’s.
Coach Justin Langer confirmed the news two days out from the third Test on a cold Tuesday morning at Headingley, with Smith appearing understandably downbeat around his teammates.
As the squad huddle disbanded to begin practice, Smith received a pat on the shoulder from vice-captain Pat Cummins before Langer wrapped his arm around the right-hander as the squad warmed up without him.
Langer and Smith then walked out to the middle to inspect the pitch as the rest of the group limbered up and jogged laps around the outfield.
Team doctor Richard Saw was seen chatting to Smith near the centre square and he had the final say on Smith’s involvement in the match, as per Cricket Australia’s concussion protocols. Smith requires the approval of Dr Saw before he can resume playing.
Smith was in a race against time to be fit for the third Test after he was struck by a searing Jofra Archer bouncer on day four of the Lord’s Test.
Smith was the first player in international cricket to be substituted out of a match following the scary blow to the neck from Archer.
While he was keen to bat on, following the blow, Dr Saw removed Smith from play as a precaution, and after passing a series of concussion tests resumed his innings.
But after waking up groggy and with a headache on the morning of day five, Smith was subbed out for Queensland’s Manus Labuschagne, who starred on Sunday with 59 to ensure Australia drew the second Test and preserved their 1-0 series lead.
Labuschagne appears to be the favourite to take Smith’s place in the XI for the clash in Leeds.
Smith now has two weeks to be ready for the fourth Test in Manchester, which starts on September 4, with a three-day tour match in Derby from August 29 to 31.
For Smith to have been cleared to play in Leeds he would have needed to show no symptoms of concussion, gradually return to full activity, pass routine concussion assessments and face fast bowling in the nets to ensure his reaction speeds had not waned.
Smith has been in imperious form during the Ashes, scoring 142, 144 and 92 in his three innings so far.
His prolific form has seen him rise to No.2 in the ICC Test batting rankings, just nine rating points behind India captain Virat Kohli.
While he watched his teammates train, Smith enjoyed a long chat with former Australia captain Mark Taylor, who captained Australia to a win at Headingley in 1997.
Australia require just one more win in the series to retain the Ashes. (Cricket.comau)
