Joe Root hoping England "jump on" absence of Steve Smith for third Ashes Test

NICK HOWSON AT HEADINGLEY: Australia's premier batsman is absent after being struck at Lord's and it could pave a way back into the series for the hosts

Given the severity of the injury suffered by Steve Smith, England captain Joe Root would never openly revel in the loss of the Australian batsman for the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

But to be without a man averaging 126 in the series for a game that if the tourists win they retain the urn, Root would be foolish not to want to take full advantage.

Marnus Labuschagne will replace Smith in the Australia line-up and though the South Africa-born batsman made an accomplished half-century as Test cricket's first-ever concussion substitute, Roots sees Smith's absence as a big opportunity.

"When you play against someone of his quality, you're looking for a number of different ways of getting him out," the Yorkshireman said of Smith, who has been ruled out after being hit by Jofra Archer in the second Test at Lord's. "The way Jofra bowled in that spell, it was great to be on the field to be a part of that and felt we were creating chances all the time. 

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"But you never want to see someone go off the field like that and see someone be walked off the field. There was a lot of concern in our dressing room for his health and it is great to see him up and about and that he is fine and looks like he is happy within himself. 

"It is very unfortunate on their part. We had the challenge of Jimmy (Anderson) going down four overs into a Test match (the first Test at Edgbaston) and we had to manage that without a replacement.

"You get these swings with a big series now and again and when you get them you need to jump on it. There will be some huge shoes to fill for whoever comes into Australia's batting line-up and we've got to keep making sure we try to exploit their techniques on these wickets."

Despite being less than four months into his international career, you will do well to find a more relaxed cricketer on the circuit than Archer.

The scrutiny on the 24-year-old ahead of his Test debut was intense to say the least, yet his performance at the home of cricket has ratcheted up the attention.

"He's dealing with it pretty well," Root said of his premier strike-bowler. "He sets up his Fortnite at the hotel. He's a very relaxed character and isn't phased by anything. 

"He's one of those guys who seems to be born for these occasions. Once you've got a super over World Cup final in your back pocket it makes everything seem a little bit easier. 

"He obviously loved everything about last week, you could see that. We'll have a conversation about a three-over spell and two overs in he wants another four overs. 

"He just wants to get out there and be a part of it and make things happen. It is a very impressive trait for a young man to have."

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