Steve Smith, Virat Kohli
Image: Getty

Steve Smith is all set to make his comeback to competitive cricket next week as he will be playing for Australia in the three-day practice match against Derbyshire which starts on August 29 in Derby. Smith was floored during the Lord’s Test after being hit from a bouncer off Jofra Archer.

He went off the field after the blow but returned to bat few minutes later. On the morning of day 5, Smith was ruled out of the contest. He had passed the concussion test just after the blow but failed it on day 5.

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The sickening bouncer ruled him out of the third Test, that is currently being in Headingley. On the third day of the Test match, Smith was seen practising in the nets and seems to be fine. The long break between third and the fourth test has come as a boon for him as Steve Smith will be playing in the practice match to ensure that he is fir for the penultimate Test.

In all likeliness, he will replace Usman Khawaja if declared fit. Marnus Labuschange, who came in as the replacement for concussed Smith at Lord’s, has scored three half-centuries in as many innings so far and has confirmed his place in the playing XI for the rest of the series.

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James Anderson
James Anderson. Getty Images.

Apart from Smith, the practice match will also serve as the fitness test for James Anderson. The right-arm pacer bowled just four overs in the opening Test before being ruled out.

He later missed next two Tests and was asked to play for Lancashire’s 2nd XI team. He will now play against the Australian team in the practice match.

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Meanwhile, England are edging close to levelling the series. Chasing a target of 359, England are 156/3 after the play of three days.

They need 203 runs with seven wickets in hand with a play of 180 overs still left. Egland have plenty of time left and will be in no hurry. For Australia, seven more wickets will do the job.