England fast bowler Jofra Archer generated sharp pace and bounce to strike Australian batsman Steven Smith on the forearm on day four of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s in London on Saturday.
Smith weathered the blow to the forearm, but retired hurt after being hit on the back of the head and neck. He later returned – and was eventually removed lbw for 92 by seamer Chris Woakes.
Smith struck consecutive centuries in last week’s series opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham. He became the first Ashes cricketer to collect two tons in the same Test since Australian opener Matthew Hayden in 2002.
This is Smith’s first Test series since last year’s tour of South Africa, when involvement in ball-tampering brought a 12-month suspension.
What Smith said
“There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn’t know if I was ever going to play cricket again. I lost a bit of love for it at one point, particularly when I had my elbow operation,” said Smith earlier this month.
“It was really bizarre that it was the day I got the brace off my elbow, I found a love for it again. I don’t know what it was, it was like a trigger that just said, ‘right I’m ready to go again, I want to play and I want to go out and play for Australia and make people proud and just do what I love doing’.
“I’ve never had those feelings ever before, I didn’t have a great love for the game, it was there for a little while and fortunately that love has come back.”
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