Smith takes step towards Manchester with gentle hit out

For the first time since suffering delayed concussion six days ago at Lord's from the blow by Jofra Archer, Steve Smith was back in the nets and looking like his old self.

Smith faced throwdowns from assistant coaches Graeme Hick and Sridharan Sriram with all the trademark twitches and mannerisms he has become known for.

It was a gentle hit-out for Smith, who did not face anything remotely fast or above waist height as he gradually increases his physical workload after being struck and replaced in the second Test.

Team doctor Richard Saw was a keen observer and several times tried to end the light session but having been deprived of hitting cricket balls for almost a week, Smith kept asking for a few more minutes, which Saw reluctantly granted him.

Next Smith, stripped of his batting gear and cap backwards, ran a series of shuttle runs across the Headingley outfield before dancing around a set of plastic cones to test his agility.

He finished the morning with some throws to fielding coach Brad Haddin, who caught them with a baseball glove, as the Australians completed their warm-ups ahead of the third day's play.

The tight turnaround between the second and third Tests meant Smith faced a race against time to be ready for Leeds and was officially ruled out on Tuesday by Dr Saw.

Marnus Labuschagne replaced Smith at Lord's as international cricket's inaugural concussion substitute and retained his place in the XI for the third Test, scoring two gutsy half-centuries.

For Smith to be cleared to resume playing he must show no signs of concussion, return to full activity, pass routine and regular assessments and face fast bowling in the nets to ensure his reaction speeds have not waned.

Should all go to plan, Smith looks set to play in Australia's three-day tour game against Derbyshire from August 29-31.

If he makes it through that game, he's expected to be available for selection for the fourth Test in Manchester, starting September 4.

Coach Justin Langer this week expressed hope Smith would return for the penultimate match of the series having played the tour match in Derby.

"It'd be great for (Smith) rather than just doing it in the nets or having throwdowns to play that practice game," Langer said. "It could work out really well.

"We know what he's like, so look out the Derbyshire bowlers.

"It'll save us 'wanging' (using modified ball throwers) the whole time, throwing them at him.

"I'm sure if he passes what he has to go through he'll be right to play that game."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Second Test: Match drawn at Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval