Steve Smith: I thought of Phillip Hughes after Jofra Archer bouncer struck me

AFP/Getty Images
Will Macpherson28 August 2019

Steve Smith returns to action on Thursday and has revealed that his first thought when struck by Jofra Archer at Lord’s was the death of his friend and team-mate Phillip Hughes five years ago.

Archer hit Smith on the neck in the Second Test of the Ashes series at Lord’s, with delayed concussion ruling him out of the conclusion of that match and the Third Test at Headingley, in which England levelled the series thanks to Ben Stokes’s sensational century.

Hughes died aged 25 when struck on the neck by a ball during a state game between South Australia and New South Wales. Smith did not play in that match but was immediately reminded of it when he was hit.

"I had a few things running through my head, particularly where I got hit, just a bit of past came up, if you know what I mean, from a few years ago," said Smith. "That was probably the first thing I thought about.

"Then I was like, 'I'm okay here,' and I was alright. I was a little bit sad but I was alright mentally for the rest of that afternoon."

Smith will play for the Australians against Derbyshire on Thursday before returning in the Fourth Test at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Smith has slowly been building up to full fitness, and does not think the blow will have much impact on his game – because Archer is yet to dismiss him.

“There’s been a bit of talk that he’s got the wood over me, but he hasn’t actually got me out,” said Smith of Archer. “He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down at Lord’s. All the other bowlers have had more success against me, I daresay. I’ve faced them a bit more, but they’ve all got me out a lot more.”

Hughes is remembered by team-mates following his death in 2014, aged 25 
William West/AFP/Getty Images

Smith accepts that he will have to get used to wearing a stem-guard, the extra neck protection introduced after Hughes’ death.

“I’ve tried them before, and tried it again the other day when I was batting and I reckon my heart-rate went up about 30 or 40 straight away,” he said. “I just feel claustrophobic – I compare it to being stuck in an MRI scan machine. It was different, but at some point I reckon they will become mandatory so I will have to get used to it.”

In Pictures | Steve Smith retires hurt at Lord's | 17/08/2019

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Meanwhile, England are set to welcome back James Anderson from the calf injury he suffered in the opening Test, to win his 150th cap on his homeground, after he came through 20 overs for Lancashire Second XI yesterday.

England are weighing up issues with their batting before naming a squad over the next couple of days, but it seems likely Joe Denly will be promoted to open with Jason Roy dropping down the order or out of the side (Jos Buttler could also be dropped), with Surrey’s Ollie Pope next in line.

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