Australia must unite to cover for the unavailable Steve Smith, says Tim Paine

NICK HOWSON AT HEADINGLEY: Marnus Labuschagne cannot carry the burden of replacing premier batsman Smith according to the skipper

With a Test average bettered by only one player in history, filling the void left by Steve Smith cannot merely be fulfilled by one man alone.

Like he was at Lord's, Marnus Labuschagne is Australia's direct replacement with their premier batsman sidelined and having been parachuted into the team at the 11th hour he made a credible half-century.

However, there is little doubt that to ensure the loss of Smith, who has averaged 126 in this series, is not too keenly felt, others must step up to the plate.

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That must surely start with the top three of David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja, whose combined average if 12.75 across 12 innings.

Wicket-keeper captain Tim Paine is also among those who must step up to the plate, and the 34-year-old is calling for a united effort.

"We do it as a team," he said. "There is only one other guy who has averaged more than Steve in Test cricket so clearly they're huge shoes to fill.

"Marnus comes in to play a role in our team but it is up to everyone else, particularly our senior players, to make sure we big that much more output and cover Steve as best we can."

Paine insists Australia had prepared rigorously before the second Test when Jofra Archer peppered them with a deluge of short pitch-deliveries, striking four batsman - including leaving Smith with a concussion which forces him to miss this Test.

^{Marnus Labachagne struck 59 after replacing Steve Smith at Lord's}

Developing a strategy to combat such an approach is one thing, but being able to execute it when a 96.1mph wrecking ball is hurtling towards you is an altogether different proposition.

"Guys have got plans in place and we've prepared really well for it," reiterated Paine. "It is now about going out there and executing it. 

"We think the Lord's wicket was difficult to face short-pitched bowling on so it will be interesting to see how this wicket is going to play. 

"It is about adapting to the situation and whatever their bowlers are trying to do."

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