Tim Paine gives Steve Smith update as Australia seek Jofra Archer tactics for third test

Australia’s leading runs scorer seems sure to be ruled out of the Third Specsavers Ashes Test at Headingley on Thursday after being diagnosed with delayed concussion on Sunday.

Despite a century from Ben Stokes and a tense finish that saw Australia cling on to a draw as England ran out of overs to take the final four wickets, Smith remained their biggest concern.

The batsman was knocked flat by a 92mph bouncer from Archer on Saturday and was ruled out of the final day of the Test after complaining of headache and “grogginess”.

And Paine, Smith and Cricket Australia all admitted he faces a race against time that he is likely to lose in order to play in Leeds.

“He’ll need to improve but it’s too early to tell,” said Paine.

“It was a really nasty knock, he felt okay yesterday, but woke up not feeling at his best so the decision was made to leave him out.

“He passed all his (concussion) tests but he deteriorated overnight, he re-tested, they weren’t as good, and the professionals made that call.”

Smith remained “hopeful” he would be fit for Headingley but conceded time was not in his favour.

“It is obviously a quick turnaround between Test matches,” he admitted.

“I have to be able to train probably a couple of days out and then face fast bowling to make sure my reaction time and all that kind of stuff is in place – there are a few tests I have to tick off and time will tell.”

Cricket Australia’s concussion protocol insists that a player must wait 24 hours after diagnosis before further training then be retested 24 hours further on which would mean Smith would have to be training tomorrow.

Stokes insisted Archer was going to be a huge factor in the series moving forward and admitted he was glad he was playing on the same side and not having to face him.

He said: “It’s brilliant to have someone like that in your team. Much rather have him on our side than on anyone else’s.

“But he is a seriously exciting talent for us. He’s announced himself on the world stage yet again.”

On Archer, Paine said: “We’ve seen Jofra in Australia for a few years now. We know the package he brings. It’s something every team wants to have.

“We go to Leeds next week, we’ve had a look at it, it’s something we can get better at. It’s not all doom and gloom.”

Joe Root said England’s performance showed that they had responded well to the Edgbaston defeat and maintained that it gave them momentum going up to Leeds

He declared: “We proved we’re in this series, and we’ll take that momentum into the rest of this series.”

source: express.co.uk