Australian star batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the rest of the second Ashes Test match at Lord’s after suffering delayed concussion following blow to the neck on day four from a Jofra Archer bouncer.
A fiery and fast spell from the England quick saw him hit Smith on the arm before a bouncer struck him on the back of the neck, knocking him to the ground.
Smith who was on 80 not-out at the time, following back-to-back centuries at Edgbaston, was forced from the field to be checked over, only to return after the dismissal of Peter Siddle. He went on to score 92 before being trapped lbw to Chris Woakes.
The blow angered Australian fans with bowler Jofra Archer failing to check on the welfare of Smith as he hit the ground before appearing to chuckle while the batsman laid on the turf.
The media was also critical of sections of the English crowd who continued to boo Smith even as he left the ground injured and upon his return later in the day.
Smith forced from the field after the brutal bouncer from Archer strikes him!
STREAM: https://t.co/ARaHMPPTti #9WWOS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/dGyj7ShtHz
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) August 17, 2019
I was at Lord's yesterday and I have to say the cricket "fans" booing Steve Smith – both before but especially after he was hit – were a disgrace. He served his time, he's the world's best batsman and he could have been seriously hurt, or worse. Grow up and get a grip. #Ashes
— Ben Glaze (@benglaze) August 18, 2019
#Ashes19 Look at these pricks laughing while Steve Smith is lying on the ground after being hit in the head. Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/la5HDyYB9R
— Tom Page (@tompage49) August 17, 2019
I get the pantomime of @stevesmith49 arrival to the crease and the booing but please stop booing once he plays with great skill,courage and incredible discipline !!! he deserves a standing ovation for that innings … #Ashes #Lords
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 17, 2019
News from Lord’s on the final morning was that Smith awoke with a headache and felt dizzy, leading to the decision to rule him out for the rest of the match.
Australia submitted a concussion replacement request with Marnus Labuschagne to be the direct substitute for Steve Smith. The new rule brought in at the start of the series allows the replacement full participation in the match.
With the short turn-around between Test matches, Smith’s availability for the 3rd Test at Headingley starting on Thursday is surely to be in doubt, which would be a huge blow for the visiting side.
England resumed the final day at 4/96, a lead of 104 with all outcomes still possible in the game despite losing a significant proportion of the match due to rain.
