Smith to rise above nerves

AUSTRALIAN batting star Steve Smith feels “claustrophobic” when he puts protective stem guards on his helmet and isn’t locked in to wearing them when he makes his Test return at Manchester.

Speaking for the first time since being substituted out of the second Test at Lord’s with delayed concussion after being struck on the neck by England speed machine Jofra Archer, Smith confirmed he was ready to play in Australia’s tour match against Derbyshire tonight.

He was due to face the full battery of Australian bowlers in the nets in a pre-match training session, having fended off teammates Mitch Marsh and Michael Neser when he batted for the first time at Headingley as part of his controlled recovery process.

It was there that Smith, who compiled 378 runs in his three Ashes outings before the incident, tested the padded protectors that can be connected to helmets and he said his heart rate started racing when he put them on.

The 30-year-old, who has made more than 11,000 international runs without wearing the stem guards, wasn’t convinced they would have protected him at Lord’s. But he knows the extra protection could soon become mandatory so will try to come to grips with them.

“I’ve tried them before, and I tried them the other day when I was batting and I reckon my heart rate went up about 30 or 40 straight away. I just feel claustrophobic,” Smith said.

“I compare it to being stuck in an MRI scan machine.

“But I think at some point they’re probably going to become mandatory so I’m going to have to get used to them. And I’m sure the more I wear them, the more I practice with them, my heart rate will come down and everything will be OK.”

Smith confirmed he had spoken to Archer since the incident, after which the Englishman copped criticism for appearing to smirk while the Australian was on the ground.

It’s understood Archer also contacted Smith, his teammate in the Indian Premier League, to make sure he was OK.

Smith said there was no tension between them, and played down any talk Archer “had the wood” over him before they meet again in the fourth Test at Manchester.

“He hasn’t actually got me out,” Smith said.

“He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down at Lord’s. He actually didn’t get me out so all the other bowlers have had more success against me I dare say.”