The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Root urges England to make most of absence
CRICKET: Australia missing batting star Smith at Headingley due to concussion
Joe Root has called on England to take advantage of Steve Smith’s concussionenforced absence from the Headingley Test, while crossing his fingers Jason Roy does not miss out for the same reason.
Australia’s hopes of improving their position in the series, 1-0 up after a big win at Edgbaston and last week’s Lord’s draw, took a hit with the news that their best player has not been cleared for action for day one today.
Root knows how it feels to be denied a star performer, having lost record wicket-taker James Anderson to a calf injury on the first morning of the first Test, and realises the opportunity Jofra Archer’s 92mph bouncer has created.
“They will be huge shoes to fill,” Root said. “It’s very unfortunate on their part but we had the challenge of Jimmy going down four overs into a Test match and had to manage that without a replacement.
“You get these swings within a big series like this every now and again and when you get your opportunity you’ve got to jump on it.
“There was a lot of concern in our dressing room for his health but it’s great to see he’s up and about and is fine.”
England had an unexpected worry of their own when Roy was struck in the nets on Tuesday, ducking into a throwdown from Marcus Trescothick, who has been working with the team as a batting consultant.
Roy was struck on the shockabsorbing stem guard – an optional add-on to the helmet which Smith does not wear – and was cleared to continue his session.
The left-hander passed a concussion test and batted on the eve of the game but England team protocols require him to be assessed again on the morning of the match before being passed fit.
As such England have called for his Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope, fresh from a knock of 221 not out against Hampshire, to join the squad on standby.
“Jason’s been monitored quite closely, as you’d expect. But as it stands I fully expect him to be fit and ready to go,” Root said.
“Obviously there is a huge amount of attention around concussion at the minute. He has cleared all of the tests absolutely fine until now but there is a period where you have got to be extra cautious.”
Only a small percentage of concussions present 48 hours or more after impact but, given the recent spate of blows to the head, the potential for brain injuries have been thrust into the spotlight and forced hard-bitten competitors to take the on-field battle in perspective.
“Of course this is a huge series and it means so much to all our players, but it doesn’t mean that much in terms of someone getting seriously hurt and potentially ruining the rest of their life,” Root said.