Joe Root ‘couldn’t believe’ that Steve Smith returned to action in Australia’s first innings before being ruled out of the remainder of a dramatic drawn Test at Lord’s.
Australia defied the absence of star batsman Smith because of a concussion and more devastating spells of pace bowling by Jofra Archer to hold out for a draw in the second Ashes Test against England on Sunday.
I mean that was a horrible moment,” said Root on the Archer short ball that caught Smith. “You’re always trying to find different ways of getting players like Steve out. You never want to see anyone get hurt. And I couldn’t believe that he managed to come back out and play.
Obviously desperate to do well for Australia and for his teammates. All of us in the dressing room just want to wish him a speedy recovery.
“So, we’ll plan for him to be ready to play (at Headingley) and have to keep trying to find ways to get him out.”
Set an improbable victory target of 267 off 48 overs at Lord’s, the Australians quickly slumped to 47-3 but a fourth-wicket stand of 85 between Marnus Labuschagne (59) and Travis Head (42 not out) helped push them to safety.
Australia lost three more wickets in a five-over stretch to keep the match alive as the light faded, but managed to survive to 154-6 at the end.
Australia retained a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Watch what England captain Root had to say in the video above.
