Steve Smith admits Phil Hughes tragedy was first thought after being struck by Jofra Archer

Steve Smith has admitted his first thought when he was struck by Jofra Archer was of tragic former teammate Phil Hughes .

The Australian batsman suffered concussion in the second Ashes test after Archer's bouncer caught him in the neck and knocked him to the floor.

Late cricketer Hughes was killed in a freak incident similar to Smith's when he was struck in the same place in a match in 2014.

Hughes was in an induced coma for two days after undergoing surgery, but sadly passed away after failing to regain conciousness.

Speaking of his worrying episode with Archer, Smith told ESPN : "I had a few things running through my head, particularly where I got hit, just a bit of [the] past sort of came up, if you know what I mean, from a few years ago, that was probably the first thing I thought about.

Smith's first thought was of his former teammate (PA)

"And then I was like, yeah, I'm actually OK here, and I was alright.

"I was a little bit sad, but I was alright mentally for the rest that afternoon, I felt pretty good, I passed all my tests and was able to go out and bat.

"Then it wasn't until later that evening that it sort of hit me, when the Doc asked me 'what did it feel like?' I said it felt like I had six beers last night, and I felt a little bit under the weather."

Cricketer Phil Hughes died as a result of a similar incident to Smith's in 2014 (X00388)

Smith missed the third Ashes test at Headingley as a result of his concussion, but will return to the crease for the next clash at the Old Trafford cricket ground.

And the 30-year-old had no worries about facing Archer again, and even encouraged the England man to keep bowling it short.

He said: "If they’re bowling up there it means they can’t nick me off, or hit me on the pad or hit the stumps.

“With the Dukes ball, I don’t know, that’s an interesting ploy. So we’ll see what happens.

Archer's delivery caught Smith in the same place were Hughes had been hit (AFP/Getty Images)

“I’m not really going to change anything. There’s been a bit of talk that Jofra’s got the wood over me, but he hasn’t actually got me out.

“He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down at Lord’s. He actually didn’t get me out so all the other bowlers have had more success against me I daresay.

“I’ve faced them a bit more, but they’ve all got me out a lot more. I’m pretty comfortable with that.”