Cricket continues to sleepwalk towards a concussion crisis after the mistreatment of Steve Smith

NICK HOWSON: The Australia batsman was ruled out of the second Test a day after his horror blow on the fourth afternoon at Lord's

"Brave", "valiant" and "champion" were just some of the unhelpful words used to describe Steve Smith's return to the crease during day four of the second Ashes Test at Lord's. Just 46 minutes after leaving the field after being floored by a Jofra Archer bouncer, the 30-year-old resumed his innings in an effort to "get on the honours board".

It would prove to be a failed effort as Smith was trapped lbw eight short of a century, but that detail is rather irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. That Australia's premier batsman was allowed to return to the field at all is another sign that cricket's grasp on the dangers of head injuries remain, like the origins of the sport, archaic and dated.

Smith passed two concussion tests - one on the field and another in the dressing room - before returning to the field. But frankly, having taken such a hefty blow - not least in an area similar to the one which caused the death of Phil Hughes - that left him spread eagle and had millions across the world holding their breath, such medical box-ticking should have been ignored and the realities of the situation prioritised.

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That Smith has awoken on the morning of the fifth day at the home of cricket complaining of a "headache, dizziness, drowsiness and feeling slowed down and in a fog" highlights the risks Australia took in allowing him to resume his innings. The new concussion rule means Marnus Labuschagne can replace him, but that fresh regulation masks over the catalogue of errors made to get to this point.

Cricket Australia's own research says 30 per cent of concussions are delayed, yet they decided to take their chances. The line between what winning and losing means remains as blurred as ever.

Clearly, the New South Wales native wanted to continue both while at the crease and then after being withdrawn. But again, that highlights the lack of education provided to players over the severity of head injuries and how significant additional trauma can be.

^{Steve Smith was sent tumbling by a Jofra Archer bouncer}

Yorkshire spinner Josh Poysden suffered a cracked skull and internal bleeding after being struck by the ball while delivering throw-downs in the nets last month and has been withdrawn from all cricket for the next three after it was adjudged that another blow could lead to further damage. Smith has not suffered anywhere near the same kind of damage, but there is a precedent there which should be respected.

Medical officials have to feel empowered to overrule any sportsperson, and that comes from above. Smith is as competitive as they come but everything should have been done to ensure he did not bat again. Australia head coach Justin Langer asked him both in front of the team and in private, but Smith was determined. Frankly, there shouldn't have even been a conversation about it. An independent ICC medical official is on hand during all Test Championship matches and can be called upon for a second opinion.

He “should have stayed off for his own safety and gone to the hospital for a scan,” Derek Wyatt, of the Brain Campaign Charity, told The Daily Telegraph. The coming's days will reveal whether Australia have truly learned their lesson, with the five-day concussion rule finishing just before the start of the third Test at Headingley, which begins on August 22.

^{After being dismissed for 92, Steve Smith was given a standing ovation}

It would certainly be consistent with Australia's behaviour during this game, and sport as a whole, if Smith was passed fit to play. South Africa allowed Hashim Amla to return to the crease after being cracked on the head by Archer during the World Cup as they attempted to win their opening game against England. He then missed the next game against Bangladesh as a "precaution". Talk about closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

This might only be the first incident of a concussion substitute in Test cricket but already it is clear teams and players will ignore any red flags if it might prohibit them from winning. Granted, that is the nature of competitive sport but all levels of cricket have to do more to educate individuals that such risks are not worth taking.

The battle between Archer and Smith has been described as one of the best ever seen in Test cricket, should now have an asterisk attached. But no sport is worth risking the long term health, and dare I say the life, of an individual just to supplement a narrative. Cricket was given a jolt five years ago when Hughes was killed, but subsequent head blows have been treated with varying levels of assurance.

The alarm bells are ringing furiously. Now is time for the sport to listen.