With only a gap of three days between the second and the third Test match, it was always going to be difficult for Smith to recover in time from a concussion.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on August 17, 2019 Australia's Steve Smith falls to the ground after being hit in the head by a ball off the bowling of England's Jofra Archer (unseen) during play on the fourth day of the second Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on August 17, 2019. - Australia's star batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test beginning on August 22, 2019, Cricket Australia announced August 20, 2019. The 30-year-old -- who has scored two centuries and 92 in his three innings in the first two Tests -- was felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer on Saturday in the first innings of the second Test at Lord's. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
In a massive blow to Australia, star and in-form batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Test match of the ongoing Ashes Series. The third test match is scheduled to be played at Headingley from Thursday onwards.
With only a gap of three days between the second and the third Test match, it was always going to be difficult for Smith to recover in time from a concussion. Cricket Australia have confirmed on Tuesday that Smith will not be available for selection in the third Ashes Test against England which will commence on Thursday as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
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Steve Smith hit two centuries in the first Ashes Test and was also looking brilliant in the Second Test too until he was hit on the unprotected part of the neck by a 148 kilometers per hour bouncer from Jofra Archer. Following the incident, he was forced to leave the field.
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Steve Smith was initially declared fit and returned to resume his innings but was eventually dismissed for 92 and was later ruled out of the remainder of the Test since he complained of headache and dizziness on the morning of the last day.
The announcement now suggests that Marnus Labuschagne, who became the first concussion substitute in Test Cricket, may replace Steve in the Playing XI in the third Test.
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