The Ashes: Australia star Steve Smith ruled out of third Test

Australia batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test at Headingley due to concussion.

Smith, 30, was withdrawn on day five of the second Test at Lord’s after showing delayed symptoms from being hit in the neck by a 92mph bouncer from Jofra Archer the previous afternoon.

The former Australia captain retired hurt after being floored by Archer’s short ball but came back to complete his innings after less than an hour off the field.

He did not appear to be fully in control on his return to the crease and was out leg before wicket soon after.

The batsman had uncharacteristically played no shot to a straight ball from Chris Woakes and called for a review of the decision while walking to the pavilion.

Smith passed all the necessary concussion tests at the time of the blow on Saturday, but his condition deteriorated overnight.

On Sunday, the touring team announced he was withdrawing from the match and was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne, who became Test cricket’s first concussion substitute.

Smith had said he wanted to play at Headingley provided he was passed fit by medics, but given most guidelines on
return-to-play protocols that always seemed unlikely.

He went to Australia’s training session at Leeds on Tuesday but did not take part before the announcement on his withdrawal was made.

Though widely anticipated, the news is a serious blow to Australia’s hopes of winning the series.

Smith, the number two batsman in world cricket on the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings, has scored 144, 142 and 92 in his three innings in the series to date.

The tourists lead 1-0 with three tests remaining, starting in Leeds on Thursday.

Australia currently hold the Ashes and will retain them if the series is drawn, while England must win the series to recapture the famous urn.

Smith was given a standing ovation as he left the field for treatment on Saturday, but he has endured a difficult time while in England for the Ashes and World Cup, being booed when taking the field.

Fans have barracked him and opening batsmen David Warner and Cameron Bancroft following their bans for cheating during last year’s series in South Africa.

The trio were suspended for a year after admitting their part what became known as “Sandpapergate”.

They were found to have pressured team-mate Bancroft into using a piece of sandpaper kept down his trousers to tamper with the ball to help it swing.

Bancroft was banned for nine months but all three have since returned to the Test team.

Sports minister Nigel Adams has called the booing of Steve Smith during the Ashes “distasteful” and urged England fans to stop.

(c) Sky News 2019: The Ashes: Australia star Steve Smith ruled out of third Test