Steve Smith ruled OUT of rest of Lord’s clash with concussion and is Ashes doubt for Third Test next week

STEVE SMITH has been ruled out for the remainder of the second Ashes Test at Lord's with concussion - and is a major doubt for the Third Test.

Australia's batting hero may have to sit out the Headingley clash which begins on Thursday after Jofra Archer's 92mph bouncer smashed him on the head yesterday.

The Aussie, 30, was escorted off by medical staff after Archer peppered him with a barrage of bouncers - one of which caught the batsman just under his helmet.

Smith was earlier struck on the forearm by a bumper and a huge swelling came up on his damaged limb.

The Aussie continued but was then floored by Archer and was down for a couple of minutes as medics from both teams ran on to treat him.

TREATMENT

The ex-skipper got up and wanted to bat on - but he was advised by doctors to come off in line with standard concussion protocol before returning later on.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's play, Smith said: "I started to feel a little bit of a headache coming on last night - probably as the adrenaline got out of my system.

"Last night I was able to get a good sleep in which is somewhat rare for me but I woke up feeling a little bit groggy and with a headache again."

Asked if he agreed with the decision to withdraw him Smith was clear: "With the tests I have done and how I have woken up today, it is the right decision.

"I would obviously love to be out there trying to help Australia win another test match but the right decision has been made and I will obviously be monitored very closely over the next few days.

"But with a pretty quick turnaround between test matches, I am hopeful that I can make a recovery and be OK [for the Third Test at Headingley]."

Smith has been replaced in the match by Marnus Labuschagne, who can bowl and bat as his substitute.

PAIN

On how much pain he is in after the double blow, Smith revealed: "I didn’t actually have any real pain in my neck yesterday when I touched or when anyone else touched it but today I do have pain there.

"Whether that is swelling or what I am not sure. Perhaps that it is leading to me having a headache and feeling a bit groggy.

"But the arm feels pretty good today actually – it is a good bruise and good bump but it’s feeling a lot better and the movement I have in it is far greater than I had yesterday."

A Cricket Australia spokesman added: “As part of the Cricket Australia concussion protocol, repeat concussion testing of Steve Smith was also performed this morning and demonstrated some deterioration from his testing which is consistent with the emergence of the symptoms he was reporting.

PROTOCOL

“On that basis, Steve has been withdrawn from the match by team doctor Richard Saw and the Australia team have lodge an application for a concussion substitute with the ICC match referee in line with the ICC protocol.

“Cricket Australia statistics show that 30 per cent of concussions in Australian cricket are delayed.

“It is not uncommon for players to pass their tests and feel well on the day of an injury and then display symptoms 24-48 hours later.

“In terms of Steve’s availability for the Third Test, this will be considered over the coming days but the short turnaround to the next Test is not in his favour.

PRECAUTIONS

“Steve’s fitness will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

“Steve will undergo a precautionary scan on his neck on Sunday.”

Smith was just 20 runs away from his third straight century when he temporarily left the field, with No9 Steve Siddle coming in.

The Aussies' key batsman fired two 140s in the first Test at Edgbaston and is regarded by many as the best in the world.

And his horror injury came on a day he made history by becoming the first player to make 50 in seven consecutive Ashes innings.

Six overs before being clattered just below the ear, Smith required treatment after being struck on the arm by an 89mph short ball from Archer.

Australia’s No4 was on 70 when he attempted to get out of the way of Archer’s delivery and it smashed his forearm, which instantly swelled up.

Smith got the area bandaged and continued - adding another ten runs to his score.

But he was grimacing when he held the bat and he could have picked up a serious injury - even before the bouncer which sent him crashing to the floor.

Smith returned to the action around 20 minutes later after doctors gave him the green light and was eventually out for 92.

It wasn't long into Australia's innings on day four for Marnus Labuschagne to fall victim to another Archer bouncer.

Just a day after flooring Smith, ruthless Archer unleashed another wicked delivery that clocked the stand-in batter straight in the helmet.

Lord's fell silent but Labuschagne got bravely back to his feet after being checked by medics and continued.