Cricket Australia concussion protocol under the spotlight after Steve Smith incident

SAM MORSHEAD AT LORD'S: Once back in the changing room, Smith underwent 20 minutes of examination. This included a Scat 5 test - a visual assessment - and Cricket Australia's computerised Cogsport test

Scorecard | Talking Points | Sam Morshead

Justin Langer has insisted that Australia put Steve Smith through every necessary concussion test prior to sending him back out to bat just 45 minutes after he had been floored by Jofra Archer's fierce bouncer.

Smith was struck on the back of the neck when on 80 in Australia's first innings at Lord's on Saturday, with the 92.4mph delivery sending him falling to the ground.

He was seen to by medical staff on the field before being encouraged to return to the dressing room for treatment, later returning at the fall of the next wicket.

It came as some surprise to see Smith on his way back down the pavilion steps, given the ferociousness of the blow and the region of his body which it struck - a very similar area to the delivery which result in the tragic death of Phillip Hughes at the SCG five years ago.

However, having put Smith through three tiers of concussion testing, Australia were convinced that he was fit to play.

^{Steve Smith was struck on the back of the neck by Jofra Archer at Lord's}

"By the time he walked back into the dressing room, he just couldn't wait to get back out there again. I was saying 'mate are you sure you're okay?'," Langer told the media at the close of play.

"These are like my sons alright, so you're never going to put them in harm's way, even though you're always in harm's way with Test cricket.

"He was going 'mate, I just want to get out there. I can't get up on the honours board unless I'm out batting'. That's what he said, that's what he thinks.

"He was determined. All that he was worried about was that he wasn't going to be able to play his forward defence because it was hurting with his top-hand grip.

"That's all he was worried about."

VISIT THE ASHES HUB

Smith was asked a series of Maddocks questions - "where are you playing", "who was bowling", "where did the ball hit you" and the like - by team doctor Richard Saw on the pitch, a practice common among sportspeople who have sustained a blow to the head.

Then, once back in the confines of the changing room, he underwent a further 20 minutes of examination.

This included a Scat 5 test - a visual assessment of the patient, looking for symptoms of concussion - and Cricket Australia's computerised Cogsport test.

The latter compares the subject's results against pre-established baselines to detect abnormalities. Smith passed all without a hitch, though he was later sent for an X-ray on his arm injury - also caused by an Archer short ball - which showed there had been no break.

^{Smith watches on from the balcony with Justin Langer and his teammates}

"Honestly he wouldn't have gone out there unless we thought - and we asked him over and over again." Langer said.

"I asked him privately, I asked him behind closed doors two or three times. I asked him in front of the group, he just kept going ' all good, all good coach, I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go.' and what else do you do?

"The medics cleared him, he wanted to get out there, we were looking after him and he said 'honestly I'm ready to go, my arm is just a bit sore'. That's why he went out there."

Smith does not use the stem guard accessory, which bolts onto the rear of a helmet to offer increased protection.

Thrilling, enthralling and, most of all, disturbing: The tale of Archer vs Smith

The kit was developed in the wake of Hughes' death in 2014 but is not mandatory under ICC or Cricket Australia regulations.

"I didn't realise they weren't mandatory until today. I think Steve wrote in his book that he doesn't feel comfortable (using it).

"He's got all those little idiosyncrasies that everyone is talking about: he doesn't like having shoelaces he can see, he doesn't like his shoes being dirty. He just doesn't feel right.

"I'm sure after today it'll get talked about again... and he might rethink it now after seeing what happened today. But you'd have to ask him that.

"At the moment, the players have a choice and I wouldn't be surprised if they become mandatory in the future."

Smith will continue to be assessed overnight, with the medical team on the lookout for signs of delayed concussion.

Australia could potentially use the newly-introduced concussion replacement rule if required, but they expect Smith to be available to bat in any possible chase.

To celebrate England winning the World Cup you can subscribe to The Cricketer for just £20.19. Click here to learn more

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.