Steve Smith is ready to face the chin music at Old Trafford, after a jarring reminder of his mortality, rubbishing the notion Jofra Archer has found a weakness to target.
Smith has recovered from the delayed concussion that forced him to miss the third Ashes test, which he painstakingly watched, as Ben Stokes snatched an incredible series-levelling win for England.
The 30-year-old has been a man on a mission preparing for a tour game in Derby, which will serve as an ideal tune-up for the fourth test, beginning next week.
The return of the batsman widely considered Australia's best since Don Bradman, coupled with the expected comeback of England's all-time leading wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson, has raised expectations of more marvellous cricket in the final two tests.
Smith's duel with Archer will be the most intriguing of many subplots next week.
The Indian Premier League teammates have spoken in passing since the bouncer blow to Smith's exposed neck, which Justin Langer noted dredged up "rough memories" of Phillip Hughes' tragic death.
But not specifically about the incident, when time seemingly stood still, as a shocked Smith hit the deck at Lord's and immediately cast his mind back to the shocking accident at the SCG in 2014.
"A few things running through my head," he recalled. "Particularly where I got hit, just a bit of past came up - if you know what I mean - from a few years ago.
"That was probably the first thing I thought about.
"Then I was like, 'I'm OK here' and I was alright. I was a little bit sad, but I was alright mentally for the rest of that afternoon."
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has suggested Smith's stunning form could be affected by his nasty scare.
England tailender Stuart Broad is a prime example of how a cricket ball can do physical and psychological damage.
Broad is always peppered with short stuff and admitted, in 2015, he experienced recurring flashback nightmares, after his nose was broken by a bouncer.
Smith, who scored 144, 142 and 92 in his previous three knocks, has vowed he will not "change anything" at the crease.
"There's been a bit of talk that he [Archer] has got the wood over me, but he hasn't actually got me out," Smith told reporters.
"He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down - all the other bowlers have had more success against me."
The run glutton welcomed the prospect of a bouncer barrage.
"If they're bowling up there, it means they can't nick me off," Smith said. "Or hit me on the pad or hit the stumps.
"With the Dukes ball, I don't know, that's an interesting ploy."
After making it through a net session against Mitch Marsh and Michael Neser at Headingley without any issues, Smith has been passed fit and is keen to step things up.
AAP
