The psychological hurdles make Steve Smith's latest Test return from concussion absence his most difficult one yet

NICK HOWSON: Due to return to the Australia team having been struck by Jofra Archer at Lord's, the challenge of recapturing his best form is an extremely stern one

Though the post-mortem following Australia's most chastening Test defeat in a generation is barely underway, Steve Smith has wasted little time resuming the verbal warfare with England ahead of his return to the Ashes series.

Goading Jofra Archer and the tactics deployed by the hosts in an attempt to extract him from the crease were among his scything remarks a week ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, for which he is likely to take his place in the tourists' XI.

It is a bold approach from the 30-year-old, particularly given how he was knocked the floor at Lord's, subsequently substituted out the team and then ruled out for the third Test at Headingley.

However, having been painted as the victim in the aftermath of the episode it is perhaps only natural that a batsman with the second-best Test average in history has come out swinging.

The damage the incident will have inflicted upon Smith goes well beyond any physical harm. The going over he received from Archer, which included being struck on the forearm during the spell, would have harmed his personal pride while the blow on the neck will have been a chastening experience.

VISIT THE ASHES HUB

Smith himself admitted that the "rough memories" of Phillip Hughes were among his first thoughts upon being hit. Coupled, with the failure to hit a third straight century of the series after insisting on resuming his innings, the right-hander would only be human if he was still haunted by the whole affair.

Speaking before the third Test at Headingley, England captain Joe Root said the most signficant blow after being hit can often be to your reputation.

"The thing that hurts the most is your ego," he explained. "You're stood out there in front of 35,000 people and someone has mugged you off a little bit.

"You pride yourself on being able to get out of the way of taking it on. First and foremost you've got to find a way to stay in and keep batting but also I don't want them to feel they've got one up on me.

"I've never had a blow as bad as that or as serious as that. As a batter, you practice and pride yourself on trying to manage those deliveries as best as possible.

"It is like anything: it is a psychological battle. When someone goes to that (short) plan you try to play it like you would play the top of off-stump. 

^{Steve Smith can expect a stern examination at Old Trafford}

"If you get caught as deep square leg because someone has got a bouncer right on the money it looks like a loose or rash shot."

Naturally, Smith knows all about resurrection having spent a year out of the sport following the ball-tampering affair in Cape Town. In the eyes of some - particularly those hanging on the coattails of The Barmy Army - he will forever be associated with that fateful Test match regardless of what follows in his career. The effect on his character is deemed irreparable.

He averaged a touch under 40 in the Indian Premier League from 12 innings and despite enduring a difficult World Cup - the 50-over format has perhaps moved on from his unnatural style at the crease and desire to build an innings - Smith has adjusted to Test cricket like he has never been away. Centuries in both innings at Edgbaston was followed by that 92 at Lord's, which was compiled either side of that examination from Archer.

But if Smith was concerned ahead of the World Cup and the Ashes about his ability to reacclimatise to international cricket, the prospect of coming face-to-face with Archer less than four weeks after being bowled over by the Barbados seamer will provoke deeper-seated anxiety.

^{Joe Root will be able to call on a refreshed Jofra Archer in Manchester}

Archer may have limped from the Headingley outfield with cramp after two straight days with the ball - Australia meanwhile will be encouraged - but he will have had nine days rest by the time the series restarts at Old Trafford.

Furthermore, with James Anderson and Stuart Broad likely to be reunited as the new ball pair, the 24-year-old could be lethal as first change, particularly if the Manchester pitch is a throwback to the bouncy and pacey surface of yesteryear.

A peppering from England's seamers - Chris Woakes might even be among them too if the selectors opt to drop a batsman to accommodate Anderson - then Smith's fortitude will be tested like never before. He might have teased England that a short-pitch approach rules out several modes of dismissal, but that is unlikely to alter their approach.

Ranked as the No.2 batsman in the ICC Test rankings for a reason, Smith is an unblemished performer when the pressure is at its most acute. But his latest trial by bounce will not just be a challenge for his technique, it will test his courage and gladiatorial spirit too. With the series on a knife-edge, the outcome of such a battle might just decide the Ashes arms-race.