XtraTime Web Desk: Australia’s ace batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the remaining part of second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s with delayed concussion, Cricket Australia has announced.
Smith was struck on the neck by a Jofra Archer delivery during Saturday’s play, but returned to bat after initially retiring hurt. The 30-year-old has now been withdrawn from the match after a further concussion test on Sunday “demonstrated some deterioration” in his condition.
“Steve has been closely monitored by medical staff overnight and this morning reported that after sleeping well, he woke with ‘a bit of a headache and a feeling of grogginess’,” a Cricket Australia statement said.
“As part of the Cricket Australia concussion protocol, repeat testing of Steve Smith was also performed this morning and demonstrated some deterioration, which is consistent with the emergence of the symptoms he was reporting.
“On that basis, Steve has been withdrawn from the match by team doctor Richard Saw and the Australia team will lodge an application for a concussion substitute with the match referee in line with the ICC protocol.”
Marnus Labuschagne has now replaced Smith in the tourists’ line-up for the final day, becoming the first concussion substitute in Test cricket.
Smith will undergo a precautionary scan on his neck later today, and will be assessed further ahead of next week’s third Test at Headingley – but Cricket Australia believe the short turnaround “is not in his favour”.