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Australia’s Smith to have new concussion test ahead of 2nd England ODI
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Sept 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Australia star
batsman Steve Smith is set to undergo a fresh concussion test before the
second one-day international against England at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Smith missed Australia’s 19-run win in the first of a three-match series
against world champions England after being hit on the head by a throw-down
from a member of the tourists’ coaching staff while batting in the nets on
Thursday.
An Australia spokesman said Smith was being rested as a precaution despite
passing a concussion assessment and would have another such test on Saturday.
“Steve Smith got a knock on the head yesterday (Thursday) in practice so
it’s a precautionary measure to leave him out,” Australia captain Aaron Finch
told Sky Sports at Friday’s toss. “(Marcus) Stoinis will bat at three.”
Stoinis made a useful 43 as Australia, following a sticky start, compiled
a total of 294-9 in their first match against England at this level since
last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and leg-spinner Adam Zampa then reduced England
to 57-4.
Australia remained on top despite a maiden ODI hundred from Sam Billings,
out for 118 off the last ball of the match as England finished on 275-9.
But on a chilly evening in this day/night clash, left-arm quick
Australia’s Mitchell Starc appeared to be struggling towards the end of a
wicketlesss 10-over spell that cost just 47 runs.
The team spokesman said Starc had a “minor amount of soreness in the top
of his leg/groin area” that ought to benefit from a day’s rest on Saturday.
Smith was dramatically felled by a 92 mph bouncer from England’s Jofra
Archer during last year’s drawn second Test at Lord’s.
Despite missing the third Test at Headingley, Smith still scored 774 runs,
including three hundreds, at an average of over 110 during a five-match
series that ended all square at 2-2.
BSS/AFP/SSS/0848 hrs