London: Steve Smith has fallen just short of a third consecutive century in the Ashes but there was relief after he returned to the field following a sickening blow from a Jofra Archer bouncer that laid him out in frightening scenes on Saturday.
Breaths were held around Lords, which fell eerily silent as England players rushed to Smiths side and the Australian and England team medicos raced onto the ground midway through the fourth afternoon of the second Test.
Smith had dropped to the ground, laying motionless for a second before taking his helmet off and rolling onto his back.
Replays showed he had been struck in the side of the neck.
Advertisement
After being ushered off the field by Australian team medical staff he returned 40 minutes later, clubbing seamer Chris Woakes for consecutive boundaries on his second and third balls faced. On his ninth ball after resuming, a Woakes delivery thumped him on the pads and he was out for 92.
The terrifying moment on Saturday came amid a lightning eight-over spell from debutant Archer, who reached speeds of 155kmh in an incredible short-bowling barrage directed at Smith and Pat Cummins. On 70, Smith had been smacked on the forearm by another bumper from the 24-year-old speedster, prompting a delay of five minutes as he was treated by medicos.
Steve Smith receives medical assistance after being hit in the neck by Jofra Archer. He left the field but returned to bat once Peter Siddle was dismissed. Credit:AP
Six overs later he turned his head as another bouncer came his way and it clattered into his neck.
There were concerned looks on the Australian team balcony but after being examined by Australia team doctor Richard Saw, Smith eventually rose to his feet. He was assessed further by Saw and team physio David Beakley and despite appearing to want to continue, they walked him to the Pavilion. He was unbeaten on 80 at the time.
Smiths helmet did not have one of the clip-on stemguards on it which began to be manufactured following the death of Hughes.
“Steve was hit on the neck below the left ear,” an Australia team spokesman said. “He was assessed lying on the pitch at the instructions of team doctor Richard Saw. Dr Saw made the precautionary decision to remove Steve from the field of play to have him further assessed under Cricket Australias head impact protocol. Steve then passed his assessments and will now be monitored on an ongoing basis, as is routine.
"Prior to the blow to his neck, Steve suffered a bruised left arm. He was given a compression bandage on the field of play to reduce the swelling and he tookRead More – Source
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
