Steve Smith back in action after recovering from concussion and set for Ashes return

Net gain: former Australia captain Steve Smith practises at Derby on Wednesday in preparation for the three-day game
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Will Macpherson29 August 2019

Steve Smith was today due to play for the first time since he was diagnosed with concussion during the Ashes Test at Lord’s.

Australia’s star batsman was struck on the neck by a short delivery from Jofra Archer during the Second Test and was subsequently ruled out of the next match at Headingley, where England squared the series with one of the most remarkable wins in their history.

The tourists missed the runs of Smith, who scored twin centuries as they took the First Test at Edgbaston, at Leeds, and he was preparing to bat for the first time over the next three days, as Australia faced Derbyshire at Derby.

Usman Khawaja captained the side and was to set to open the batting, though a number of the XI who played at Headingley were scheduled to be rested.

Khawaja has been short of runs in the series and his place is under pressure, though he could be moved up to open the batting in the Fourth Test at Old Trafford, with Smith returning to his usual spot at No4 and the impressive Marnus Labuschagne batting at No3.

Khawaja said: “I actually feel really good batting, I just haven’t made any big runs lately which is obviously frustrating for me.

“I’m actually getting lots of starts, it’s not like I’m in no-man’s territory.

“The most important thing is to capitalise on those starts — that’s what the best players do. If you don’t capitalise on those starts there’s always times when you’re going to get out early.”

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Meanwhile, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has questioned the decision to omit fast bowler Mitchell Starc at Headingley. Starc has yet to appear in the series.

Ponting said: “When the tail is in and the ball is old he just knocks them over for fun.”

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