AGENCIES: Captain Joe Root says England has to “try to capitalize on the opportunity” of Steve Smith’s absence from the third Ashes Test.
The Australia batsman is the leading run-scorer in the series with 378 and has helped his side to a 1-0 lead.
But he is out of the Headingley Test, starting Thursday, because of a concussion sustained after he was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer during the second Test.
“It is a huge hole,” said Root.
“You look at the runs he has scored and if you take them out it looks completely different and we could be sat here 2-0 up.”
Smith scored 144 and 142 in Australia’s victory at Edgbaston and made 92 at Lord’s after passing initial concussion tests to resume his first innings.
But a delayed concussion meant he did not bat on the final day as Australia held on for a draw, with Marnus Labuschagne taking his place as Test cricket’s first concussion substitute.
“He is obviously a big focal part of their team and we have got to try and capitalize on this opportunity,” Root told Test Match Special.
Comment