Australia will be without batsman Steven Smith for the third Ashes series Test, which will get underway at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday.

Smith was struck on the side of neck by England fast bowler Jofra Archer on day four of the second Test at Lord’s in London. He retired hurt – and later returned to bat. His condition deteriorated overnight, though, and participation in day five was not allowed.

The South African-born Marnus Labuschagne was subsequently introduced as Test cricket’s first formal substitution – and was also felled by a short ball from Archer. Labuschagne didn’t retire hurt – and struck a steely half-century to force a draw.

Labuschagne will likely be retained in the XI in the absence of Smith for the Leeds fixture. England, meanwhile, will be without fast bowler James Anderson.

Anderson bowled a mere four overs in the series opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham and was ruled out of the second completely.

‘Anderson is making progress from his injured right calf. He will step up his rehabilitation this week by playing for Lancashire second XI against Leicestershire in a three-day friendly at Northern Cricket Club, Liverpool,’ read a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Australia boast a one-nil lead in the five-match series. They won the Edgbaston Test by 251 runs, after successive centuries from Smith and Nathan Lyon’s nine wickets.

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