Ashes 2019: Blow For Australia As Smith Is Ruled Out Of Third Test

Aussie cricketer Marnus Labuschagne, who became the first concussion sub in Test cricket in Australia's second innings at Lord's, will replace Steve Smith in the XI for the third Test

In a big blow to Australia, premier batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test against England beginning on Thursday at Headingley. Smith getting ruled out has not come as a shocker, it was always difficult for him to get fully fit with a turnaround time of three days between the two Tests. This means that South African-born Aussie cricketer Marnus Labuschagne, who became the first concussion sub in Test cricket in Australia's second innings at Lord's, will replace Steve Smith in the XI for the third Test. Smith was batting on 80 from 152 balls when a vicious bouncer from Archer hit him on the unprotected part of the neck following which he had to leave the field. The 30-year-old had initially passed a concussion test and returned to complete his innings before he was eventually dismissed for 92. He woke up with a headache and some dizziness on the final day of the drawn Lord's Test and mandatory subsequent testing revealed his condition had deteriorated. Australia's batting mainstay Steve Smith has jumped to the second spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Player Rankings for Test batsmen after scoring a resilient knock of 92 during the first innings of the drawn second Ashes Test against England at the Lords' Cricket Ground. The blistering knock helped Smith gain one spot and close in on top-ranked Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the updated rankings.