Ben Stokes says England must weather a bouncer war if they are to level the Ashes series at Headingley, where the start was delayed by a shower on a murky morning.
Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion after being hit on the neck by the extreme pace of Jofra Archer in the drawn Second Test at Lord’s.
Since then, Jason Roy and Smith’s replacement Marnus Labuschagne have been hit on the head with concussion a major talking point. “I think it has come into the game a lot more as a tactic for making batsmen feel uncomfortable and using it as a wicket-taking delivery as well,” said all-rounder Stokes of the bouncer.
“Whoever played the short ball better last week got through that tricky period better than the other team and if the same thing happens again this week, it’s whoever can play the short ball better will come out on top, I guess.”
Of Smith’s absence, Stokes added: “It’s a massive loss for Australia but we can’t go into this game thinking we’ve won it because Steve Smith isn’t playing.”
