Steve Smith hopeful of playing third Ashes Test

Australian talismanic batsman Steve Smith is hopeful that he will be passed fit for the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds. Steve Smith missed the final day of the second Test at Lord’s after being ruled out with signs of delayed concussion. Smith was hit by a quick bouncer from Archer on Day 4 but came out to bat after initially walking off the field. He was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne who became the first-ever concussion substitute in the history of Test cricket.

There is a minimal break between the second and third Test matches. The all-important encounter in Leeds will begin on August 22. But Smith is hopeful that he will be passed fit to participate in the crucial Test.

Hopeful of playing the third Test

Speaking to the media, Smith said,

“It’s obviously a quick turnaround between Test matches. I’m going to be assessed over the next five or six days, each day a couple times a day, to see how I’m feeling and progressing and I’m hopeful I will be available for that Test match, but it’s certainly up to the medical staff and we’ll have conversations. It’s certainly an area of concern concussion and I want to be 100% fit.”

Smith further added:

“I’ve got to be able to train probably a couple of days out and face fast bowling to make sure my reaction time and all that kind of stuff is in place. There’s a few tests I’ll have to tick off and I guess time will tell. I’d love to be out there trying to keep performing and try help Australia win another Test match. But I think the right decision’s been made. I’ll obviously be monitored very closely over the next few days with a pretty quick turnaround in between Test matches. I’m hopeful I can make a recovery and be okay for that.”

Smith has been in dominant form at the 2019 Ashes. In 3 innings, he has scored 378 runs at an average of 126 with 2 centuries to his name. Australia will certainly hope that their key batsman is fit and firing for the Test at Headingley.