'Better to be safe': Steve Smith scare prompts change for teammate

Australia vice-captain Travis Head started using a neck guard after watching Steve Smith's brutal scare at Lord's but there remains no team rule regarding the helmet attachment.

Smith wasn't wearing a StemGuard, the clip-on neck protector designed by helmet manufacturer Masuri in the aftermath of Phillip Hughes' tragic death, when he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer on Saturday.

The ball belted Smith's exposed neck as he twisted, prompting the star batsman to hit the deck in scenes that dredged up memories of the shocking accident at the SCG in 2014.

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Smith was quickly back on his feet but the incident, which resulted in a delayed concussion, has prompted him to consider the merits of using a neck guard whenever he is given the green light to bat again.

Head, who like Smith had previously tried batting with a StemGuard but found them uncomfortable and restrictive, changed his tune and donned one during his match-saving unbeaten knock on day five of the second Ashes Test.

"I wore it and probably will wear it for the rest of the series," Head said.

"The wickets are a little bit slower and you can get some that do different things, so it is not as true bounce ... it is just better to be safe than copping one.

"As you've seen with Steve getting hit, you can get yourself into tricky positions ... there was a lot of balls following batters.

"With the conditions in Australia you can sway out the way, the bounce is quite true."

Neck guards are set to become mandatory next year as part of Cricket Australia's concussion and head trauma policy.

"So I may as well get used to it now and then start putting them on," Head said.

Justin Langer admitted during the second Test he was surprised to learn StemGuards weren't already mandatory but the coach hasn't instituted a team rule on the current tour.

"It is each to their own," Head said.

"There are a lot of guys wearing them; all of the bowlers are wearing them now."

Steve Smith increasingly unlikely for third Test

Australia are confident they can retain the Ashes in Leeds without Steve Smith, who remains on restricted duty and is expected to miss the third Test.

Smith was in far better spirits on Tuesday, compared to Sunday, when he became the first concussed cricketer to be substituted out of an international match.

Smith is desperate to play after playing cards on the team bus to Leeds and feeling up to walking around the city on Monday.

But the former skipper failed to warm up on Tuesday, when the touring party had their first training session at Headingley.

Smith had a long chat with coach Justin Langer while inspecting the pitch and talked with team doctor Richard Saw, cutting a dejected figure in both conversations.

Team management are yet to reveal their plans but it is hard to see how Smith will be cleared to face England in the clash that starts on Thursday, given he still needs to make so many significant and rapid steps in his recovery.

The absence of the talismanic run glutton shapes as a major blow to Australia's hopes of winning in Leeds. Victory would ensure they retain the urn.

Tim Paine is desperate for Smith to play, having noted after the drawn Lord's Test that it "will be tough to stop Smithy walking out".

But CA policy dictates the only opinion that matters is that of team doctor Richard Saw, which Smith and Paine have both publicly conceded.

Dr Saw, who was kept busy throughout the second Test as Australia held on to a 1-0 series lead despite their batsmen suffering a stack of blows to the body, arm and head, continues to regularly assess Smith and remains in sole control of his gradual return to activity.

"The doc has been doing a fantastic job so far on tour with everyone. He had a busy week," Head said.

"I know he's looking after him pretty well, he is in good hands."

"But he seemed in good spirits today on the bus, he is playing cards again and is himself. It was good to see."

Given Smith was dizzy and groggy on Sunday, the widespread expectation is that Australia will be without their talismanic run-glutton on Thursday.

Marnus Labuschagne, having delivered a match-saving 59 while filling in for Smith on day five at Lord's, will again need to step up if that is the case.

The pressure would also rise on Head, who has been Australia's best performing batsman on the tour outside Smith.

"It (the Lord's draw) showed that without Steve, we were able to get the job done which is a positive," Head said.

"Steve is obviously in great nick and playing beautifully at the minute, so hopefully he comes good."