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XtraTime Web Desk: Australian batsman Steve Smith has missed a second straight ODI as Australia take a cautious approach to their star batter's recovery from a head knock at training during the week.

Smith was ruled out of the 50-over series opener after being struck by a throwdown in the nets on Thursday. The 31-year-old had passed an initial concussion assessment on Friday, and passed a second assessment on Saturday morning.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson added: "Steve passed both assessments, but we have decided to rest him as an extra precaution in line with our high level of focus on duty of care to all players."

Smith missed the third Test of last year's Ashes series in England due to concussion after he was felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer in the first innings of the Lord's Test. He returned to dominate the fourth Test of the series – coincidentally at the same Old Trafford venue as these ODI matches – and ensure Australia retained the urn.

With Smith missing from Australia's batting line-up, Marcus Stoinis will again slot in at the No.3 position with the tourists setting their sights on a bilateral ODI series win over England for the first time since 2015.

Steve’s injury will definitely raise concerns for his IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. Smith is an integral member of the Royals and a lot will depend on his form going into the 13the edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) which gets underway from September 19.