Imperious Smith looms large over gripping Test

Steve Smith shook off a nasty blow to the helmet to continue his remarkable return to Test cricket and lead Australia's fightback on day three of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Smith was clocked on the grille of his helmet over his right ear by a Ben Stokes bouncer in the 29th over of Australia's second innings on Saturday evening.

The 30-year-old appeared dazed in the wake of the hit but carried on batting after passing a concussion test administered by Team Doctor Richard Saw.

"After Steve was struck on the grille he underwent a head impact assessment both on the field of play and later off the field at the end of the day's play," Saw said.

"Steve showed no signs of concussion and is therefore free to continue to play. However we will continue to monitor him on an ongoing basis as per our usual protocols."

The only thing that could stop Smith from adding more runs was the end of play, which arrived early due to bad light. Smith walked off unbeaten on 46 alongside Travis Head (21no) to drive his side to 3-124 and a slim 34-run lead.

Fast bowler James Pattinson said Smith seemed fine after play and that his teammates were left amused by the batsman's response to the blow, which was as animated as his unorthodox batting technique.

"It was quite a good reaction from him, wasn't it?" said Pattinson after play when asked about Smith's wellbeing.

"I had a bit of a chuckle with a few guys in the dressing room, he always puts a bit of mayo on things, doesn't he?"

Smith, who has spent all but 16.4 overs of the match on the field, has amassed 190 runs across two innings after scoring 144 on day one in what was his return to Test cricket following 15 months on the sidelines.

That 144 was more than half of Australia's first-innings score of 284 and the right-hander is the key wicket for England when play resumes on Sunday.

Smith's heroics have not been lost on Pattinson or his teammates.

"I was talking to a bit of press before about great players, they always stand up when you need them and I think he's done that this game," Pattinson said.

"Without him we'd be in a bit of trouble.

"He's a fantastic player and to do it after everything that he's been through. He's been copping a bit from the crowd which has amused a lot of people.

"But to his credit he just gets on with it and he's a fantastic player.

"He's someone who lifts the group when he's out there. He's an unbelievable player."

While Pattinson has had the pleasure of watching Smith bat, England seamer Chris Woakes and his comrades have been left scratching his head trying to get the Australian out.

England have employed leg slips, silly points, silly mid-ons and other funky fields without luck against Smith, who averages 145.71 in his last 11 Test innings against England.

Woakes says the England camp, who spent two days at St George's Park ahead of the series devising their plans for each Australian player, will have to go back to the drawing board to find a way to remove the former No.1 Test batsman.

"He's obviously a world-class player and we've got to find a way to get him out," Woakes said.

"I think on this surface in particular, it's hard to force the issue as a bowler. The pace has gone out of the pitch so you almost have to build pressure and find ways to build pressure, and maybe attack at the other end and hold at the other, and build pressure to make sure the batsman makes a mistake.

"But Steve doesn't make too many mistakes so we've got to find a way.

"We'll obviously look at a few plans overnight and see what we can come up with."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

First Test: August 1-5,Edgbaston

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: August 14-18,Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval