When you get your opportunity you've got to jump on it, states Joe Root on Steven Smith’s absence

When you get your opportunity you've got to jump on it, states Joe Root on Steven Smith’s absence

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Joe Root has reckoned that Australia might find it difficult to cope in the third Test without their marquee batsman Steven Smith and the hosts need to take full advantage of this opportunity they have been presented with. He further talked about Jofra Archer’s debut and Jason Roy’s poor form.

With an average of 126 in the series and scores of 144, 142 and 92 in the three innings he batted in so far, it’s hard to swallow the fact that Steven Smith has not played red-ball cricket at the highest level for more than 12 months. However, he has hit a roadblock in his comeback series having been ruled out of the third Test after sustaining a blow on the neck from Jofra Archer while batting at Lord’s. This leaves a huge void in an otherwise struggling Australian batting lineup.

"They will be huge shoes to fill," England skipper Joe Root said of Australia being without Smith.

England have had their fair share of injury concerns, with James Anderson being ruled out of the first three tests midway through the opening clash before Olly Stone got injured in training. Headingley will provide the hosts with the best chance to capitalize on Australia’s woes and draw level in the series.

"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,” Root added.

Smith immediately went down after getting hit but no serious damage has been done though he is still feeling the effects of delayed concussion.

"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," Root said of his opposite number.

Meanwhile, Jofra Archer made the headlines on his Test debut as the youngster kept the Australian batsmen on their toes with extended lengths of aggressive bowling at speeds over 90 mph. He ended with five wickets to his name in the match and has seems to have taken all the hype that surrounds him right in his stride. 

"He's dealing with it pretty well, I think. He's just a very relaxed character, unfazed by anything. He's one of those guys who seems to be born for these occasions," Root said of the 24-year-old.

The main concern for the hosts so far has been the inability of its batsmen to fire, with opener Jason Roy in the spotlight after scoring only 40 runs in four innings. Though he has played the majority of his first-class matches as a middle-order batsmen, his skipper has faith in him to perform as an opener.

"I feel Jason can have a real big impact at the start of an innings," Root concluded.

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