Steve Smith, a prominent Australian batter, has spoken about the devastating blow he took from Jofra Archer’s bowling during the 2019 Ashes series.
The master of batsmanship admitted that despite passing all concussion tests, he didn’t start feeling lightheaded until he picked up the bat again.
The fiery bowling of Archer, who made his Test debut at Lord’s, featured a combination of sheer speed and precise short-pitched deliveries. One of those throws struck Smith, who appeared calm, on the back of the head.
Before taking the field again, he underwent concussion tests. The right-hander, however, had changed since then, and Chris Woakes successfully caught him lbw for 92.
The New South Wales player admitted that it was a challenging time to get through it on the Legend of the Ashes podcast and added that it felt like he had consumed alcohol 30 minutes later.
It was a very challenging time to get through. I was successful with a few top edge pull shots and a few gaps shots after catching one on the arm. Then I took one to the back of the head, which was quite painful.
“At that point, I was unaware that I was experiencing a concussion. I went off and took all the tests, which I passed. Not until I went back outside. To be honest, I probably felt like I’d had a dozen beers by the time the adrenalin sort of left my system and I started to feel quite groggy, about 30 minutes later. “
Due to a concussion, the former Australian captain was unable to participate in the following Test at Headingley. He then crushed 211 and 82 in the fourth game in Manchester. Smith went on to amass a massive 774 runs at over 100 in four Test matches.
He was unable to bat in the second Test innings as well, which required Marnus Labuschagne to step in.
Smith also recalled how the weather and England’s bowlers’ bowling from the Members’ end produced minor diversion.
“The day was very gloomy and dark. The clouds came and went. The fact that members are seated there and the sightscreen is smaller than at other grounds makes it a little more challenging when bowling from the members’ end at Lord’s.“
“There were a few distractions there, and it was just one of those days where I wasn’t quite seeing the ball as well as I would have liked from that end. “
The 34-year-old will be eager to resume his running after struggling in the first Ashes Test of the current series. Beginning on June 28 at Lord’s, the second Test.
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