Published 16:38 IST, September 14th 2019
Jofra Archer says Steve Smith 'literally cannot get out', explains why
Jofra Archer stood tall on Day two of the fifth Ashes test as he grabbed six wickets to reduce Australia to 225 runs, giving England a lead of 60 odd runs.
Jofra Archer stood tall on Day two of the fifth Ashes test as he grabbed six wickets to reduce Australia to 225 runs, giving England a lead of 60 odd runs in the second innings. Steve Smith continued to be the only ray of light for Australia as the side witnessed yet another collapse in their top-order. The Smith-Archer rivalry began in the second Test when Smith was floored by Archer with a short ball following which he was ruled out for the third Test due to a delayed concussion. Throughout the series, both the players have embraced and enjoyed the challenges put forth by each other. However, most England players find one thing about Steve Smith most frustrating and that is the way to get him out.
Jofra Archer says Steve Smith is impossible to dismiss
Jofra Archer has been known as the soothsayer ever since his predictions for the Super Over in the controversial World Cup final came true. Young Jofra Archer has enjoyed his maiden Ashes tournament, as he has left the Australian batsmen rattled in their crease. Having bowled to Steve Smith for over three matches, Jofra Archer has realized that it was never to get Steve Smith out that easily. Talking at the press briefing at the end of the day's play, Jofra Archer revealed that Steve Smith 'literally cannot get out'. The star Australian batsman was trapped by an leg-before-the-wicket from Chris Woakes on 80 runs, finally giving the England side a huge relief. Jofra Archer also attempted to predict that Steve Smith was unsettled in the fifth match as Archer took to observe that he was not in his normal composure. Reacting to a comment from one of the journalists at the briefing, Archer said that he guessed that Steve Smith was not well and hence was not in a dominating position while he was in the crease. Further, Jofra Archer went on to say that Steve Smith was very lucky as all the ball he hit in the air landed in no-man's land, thus extending his glorious form. See Archer's comments here:
Steve Smith unfazed by on-field banter
Smith said he was able to shut out pressures and focus on the job in hand despite the weight of expectation on his shoulders. "I just sort of do my thing and what people say it doesn't really bother me, it's just each time I go out to the middle I love batting and I just want to bat and score runs and help out the team," he said. "People can say whatever they like, nice things, bad things, whatever. It really doesn't bother me." The 30-year-old, lbw to Chris Woakes, was disappointed not to reach his fourth century of a stellar series on Friday but said he had struggled with "flu" during his innings.
Jofra Archer shines on Day one
England paceman Archer took six wickets to put his side in the driving seat and Smith was asked whether a great rivalry could develop between the pair. But the Australian said it was too soon to tell. "Who knows? When's the next Ashes series? I don't even know," he said. "Will I still be playing? I'm not sure. Who knows the answer to that? We'll see. "He's a quality performer. He's got two five-fors in four Test matches (Archer has twice taken six wickets in an innings) and you don't get guys bowling 90 miles an hour growing on trees and with the skillset he's got. "He's a terrific bowler and there's no doubt that he'll gain a lot of confidence from his first Test series." Australia, 2-1 up, have already retained the Ashes urn but are aiming to win their first Test series in England since 2001. England lead by 78 runs with 10 second-innings wickets remaining.
Updated 17:22 IST, September 14th 2019