Labuschagne steps in as a sub after Archer neutralizes Smith

Jofra Archer had made a huge name for himself during the ICC World Cup 2019 and much was expected of him in the Ashes as well and he didn’t disappoint. In the second Test match at Lord’s ground saw Archer trouble the best batsman of modern times with his pace and short deliveries.

Though Smith tried his best to keep the dangerous deliveries at bay, Archer finally got him with a short ball that didn’t bounce and hit Smith on the back of his neck. Though Smith came back to bat after medical assessment, he was deemed unfit to continue in the second innings.

Marnus Labuschagne came in as his substitute in the second innings, thanks to the new concussion sub-rule and scored a brilliant fifty to help Australia draw the Test match. It was a huge achievement for Labuschagne because had England won the Lord's Test, they might have won the series as well. As Smith was ruled out of the third Test at Leeds, Labuschagne made 74 and 80 in the two innings, which helped Australia set a target of 359 for England.