Ashes 2019 | When I got hit, it had me thinking about Phil Hughes, reveals Steve Smith
Steven Smith has claimed that he was reminded of Phil Hughes' freak accident from five years ago after having been hit on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer. He further discussed his thoughts post the blow, his decision to return to the crease and his preparation for the fourth Ashes Test.
Steven Smith had a great start to the ongoing Ashes having produced a man of the match innings in the opener to drive his team to victory. However, menacing blows by Jofra Archer saw him suffer from symptoms of concussion, subsequently ruling him out of the third Test. He has since recovered and will make a comeback in a tour match against Derby ahead of the fourth Test.
"When the doc asked me what did it feel like I said it felt like I had six beers last night and felt a little bit under the weather, without the six beers unfortunately. That was the sort of feeling I got, that groggy feeling and that stuck around for a couple of days. Not a nice place to be in but these things happen and unfortunately missed what was a pretty amazing Test match. I'm going well. Play the Derby game, get through that and pretty confident I'll be right for the fourth Test match," he was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.
The concern around head injuries has escalated at steep rates after Phil Hughes suffered a fatal blow to the neck from a Sean Abbott bouncer in 2014. Steven Smith, eerily enough, was hit in a similar region of his body causing topples of tension throughout the world, but thankfully managed to escape without any serious repercussions.
"I had a few things running through my head, particularly where I got hit, just a bit of past came up if you know what I mean from a few years ago. That was probably the first thing I thought about then I was like 'I'm OK here' and I was alright. I was a little bit sad but I was alright mentally for the rest of that afternoon. I felt pretty good, passed all my tests and was able to go and bat and then it wasn't until later that evening that it hit me," he said.
Perhaps the most surprising moment came when minutes after leaving the pitch, Smith returned to complete his innings while batting on 80 not out. He certainly didn't look his usual self and the strange manner in which lost his wicket raised questions as to whether he should have just stayed in the pavillion.
"If you're ruling people out from just hits every now and again we won't have a game. You've obviously got to take the advice of the doctor and how you're feeling and at that point in time I was feeling fine. I wanted to go out like any other player would want to go out and try and help their team and you've got to take the advice of your medical staff. Had he told me that this isn't the right thing to do then that's fine, we cop that on the chin and you get on with things," Smith concluded on the matter.
"There’s been a bit of talk that’s he’s got the wood over me, but he hasn’t actually got me out." - Steve Smith on Jofra Archer #Ashes pic.twitter.com/3iF1vvVh0o
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 28, 2019