Steve Smith ruled out of third Ashes Test: Cricket Australia

LONDON: Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test beginning on Thursday, Cricket Australia announced Tuesday.

The 30-year-old — who has scored two centuries and 92 in his three innings in the first two Tests — suffered a concussion when he was felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer on Saturday in the first innings of the second Test at Lord’s.

“Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test at Headingley, with coach Justin Langer confirming the news after the batsman sat out Australia’s training session on Tuesday,” Cricket Australia announced on their website.

It was the first time a player in international cricket was substituted under the new concussion rules.

Initially, Smith passed a concussion test and was allowed to return to the field and complete his innings, but his condition worsened the following day.

Labuschagne is the most likely option to replace Smith, having made 59 as Australia battled to a draw on Sunday, which retained their 1-0 lead in the series.

The third Ashes Test is slated to get underway from August 22 in Headingley, Leeds. Australia lead the five-Test series 1-0.