Glum Steve Smith out of Leeds Ashes Test

Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith, who is suffering concussion, has officially been ruled out of Thursday night’s Test at Leeds.

Australia coach Justin Langer, centre left, consoles Steve Smith at Headingley

Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith has officially been ruled out of Thursday night’s Test at Leeds. The star batsman, who is suffering concussion, arrived to training today but did not join the group.

A glum Smith stood at centre wicket with coach Justin Langer as the squad prepared for the match at Headingley.

Australia lead the series 1-0 going into the third match but will miss the former captain who has scored two big centuries and a 90 in his first three innings since returning from his 12-month ban.

The former captain was struck on the neck by Jofra Archer on the fourth day after making 80 runs. Medical staff rushed to the aid of the star who lay prostrate on the ground after the blow and took him from the field for a concussion test.

Smith was ruled fit to continue and made another 12 runs but reported grogginess the following day and was found to be suffering delayed concussion.

Marnus Labuschagne is on standby for Smith. The young Queensland player proved an outstanding replacement for the injured star in the second Test, finding a way to hold out England’s attack and score a half century on the final day. His innings was critical in saving the Test match.

The bowling situation is not as clear cut. James Pattinson was rested at Lord’s after pulling up sore from training after the first Test with the aim to have him fit for Lord’s. He, Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser are fit and the selectors have indicated they will rotate bowlers through the matches, but making changes will be difficult.

Ricky Ponting believes Starc could miss out for the third successive Test and that there is no reason to make changes from the second match.

“Josh was outstanding throughout the (second) Test match so you’d like to think he stays in,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“It might be Siddle’s turn to sit out and Pattinson comes in. But in saying that, if there’s conditions in the UK that generally suit someone who bowls like Siddle, it’s been Leeds historically.

“Especially if there’s a bit of cloud overheard, it’s been a nightmare to face those sort of guys who hit the seam and wobble the ball and make scoring tough.

“No one has even spoken about Starc coming into the side. As soon as Pattinson missed, we’re just waiting for him to come back in. Right now, you’d think something out of the ordinary would have to happen for Starc to get a game at all.

“But they’ll wait until they get there and take a look at the conditions.”

Cummins moved further out in front of the bowling Test rankings released after the second Test. His 914 points are the equal highest ever recorded by an Australian alongside Glenn McGrath. Smith moved into second place among the batsmen despite missing over 12 months because of his ban.

England have named the same XII for the third Test at Headingley.

Both teams will be carefully monitoring the bowlers who played on Sunday, especially the home side which had to bowl through an extended day at Lord’s as they tried to press for a win.

Smith’s injury has sparked a debate around the wearing of stem guards to protect the neck. The batsman was not wearing them when he was struck or when he returned. Like many in the game he argues they are uncomfortable.

Some of his teammates, however, have taken a lesson from the incident, including Travis Head,

“I didn’t usually (wear one),” he said. “I guess with the conditions in Australia you can sway out the way, the bounce is quite true. I think what we have seen at Lord’s with the slope there was a lot of balls following batters and going down the slope. I wore it yesterday and probably will wear it for the rest of the series I guess.

“The wickets are a little bit slower and you can get some that do different things so it is not as true bounce. I guess as you’ve seen with Steve getting hit you can get yourself into tricky positions. So, I think it’ll become mandatory, it is becoming mandatory next year with CA so I may as well get used to it now and then start putting them on.”

There is a push in the Australian camp to encourage all players to wear the neck guards and an expectation they will be made mandatory in the near future.

One of the problems with the equipment is it has been a one-size-fits-all item. Batsmen like David Warner have shorter necks and find the guard digs into their shoulders and affects this stance.

Manufacturers are being encouraged to customise the protectors.