Ashes 2019:- Steve Smith Possibly Out of Third Test Match says Cricket Australia

Steve Smith has been ruled out of the second Test due to a failed concussion Test. Marnus Labuschagne stood in for Smith on Sunday after the ICC approved an application sent by Cricket Australia.

A statement from Cricket Australia said, “In terms of Steve’s availability for the third Test, this will be considered over the coming days but the short turnaround to the next Test is not in his favour. Steve’s fitness will be assessed on an ongoing basis.”

The 30-year old was on the receiving end of a blow to the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer on Saturday. He walked off to get it treated but returned to bat after some time; where he scored 92. However, Steve Smith has now been withdrawn from the second Test match after a further concussion test on Sunday where he had a headache and grogginess.

“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’,” said a statement of Cricket Australia. “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“On that basis, Steve has been withdrawn from the match by team doctor Richard Saw and the Australia team will lodge an application for a concussion substitute with the match referee in line with the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.”

“Cricket Australia statistics show that 30% of concussions in Australian cricket are delayed,” read the statement. “It is not uncommon for players to pass their tests and feel well on the day of an injury and then display symptoms 24-48 hours later.”

However, there was a twist in the tale as Australia team doctor Richard Saw and the Australia team will lodge an application for a concussion substitute. A concussion substitute can bat, bowl and field well. Marnus Labuschagne is pretty new in the Test Cricket who have played only 5 Test matches, having 210 runs and 9 wickets in his name so far.
Although there is no news of Smith playing the third Test, he will be assessed further.