HAS SMITH MET MATCH IN ARCHER?
Aussie feels pain as Jofra lights up Lord’s with sensational spell
IT TURNS out Steve Smith does have a weakness against the full, straight delivery after all. But only once he has been smashed on the forearm, poleaxed by a bouncer, taken off for a concussion check, and has then re-emerged like Monty Python’s Black Knight — with bits missing but courage intact.
On a memorable fourth day of this second Test, which ended with England 96 for four in their second innings, 104 ahead and trying to avoid thoughts of going 2-0 down, it was Chris Woakes who eventually trapped Smith leg-before.
But central to the extraordinary drama that preceded the dismissal of Australia’s batting phenomenon eight runs short of a seventh hundred in 11 Ashes innings, was the menace of Jofra Archer. He may be winning his first cap but he has instantly assumed the role of irresistible force to Smith’s immovable object.
At one point, as Lord’s held its breath during one of the most high-octane passages of play it can ever have witnessed, Archer was timed at more than 96mph. Smith parried the missile just in front of short leg. Moments earlier, Archer had pinned him on his unprotected left forearm, producing a swelling the size of a snooker ball and raising doubts about whether he could continue.
What followed was red-blooded theatre, up there with Allan Donald’s furious spell to Mike Atherton at Trent Bridge in 1998. Even on a pitch rendered sluggish by rain, and already into his 25th over, Archer showed no signs of flagging. On the contrary.
The ensuing short-pitched barrage was predictable, but that made it no easier to play. Smith, in serious pain, flapped a pull over the keeper’s head, then miscued another into no man’s land. Archer’s speeds sporadically flashed up on the giant screen, a rejoinder to the crowd to get involved and a reminder to the batsmen to stay out of harm’s way.
So much for helpful advice. The ball, when it came, was short and fast — 92.4mph — and Smith, on 80, was unable to avoid it. He was hit sickeningly under his left ear. As he slumped to the turf, all of cricket thought instantly of his former team-mate Phillip Hughes, who died from such a blow in 2014. Like Hughes, Smith was not wearing stem guards, flaps of plastic that protect the neck and have become de rigueur — but not obligatory — since the Hughes tragedy.
Reluctantly, Smith l eft the field, applauded by the majority of a packed Lord’s crowd, but booed by a handful of diehards who seem unable to get the sandpaper episode out of their systems.
Woakes quickly removed Peter Siddle to leave Australia 218 for seven, still 40 behind — at which point Smith rejoined the fray, greeted by a standing ovation from the green- and- gold Australian fans. It was magnificent, but would England ever see the back of him? Devoid of sensation in his left arm, he heaved his second ball high over mid-on for four, timed the next through extra cover, then moved to 92 with a thick edge to third man. After 144 and 142 at Edgbaston, he seemed destined for his best 2019 Ashes century yet, only to misjudge Woakes’s straight one. In the end, as he walked off while simultaneously asking for a review, he had to settle for becoming the first player ever to pass 50 in seven successive Ashes innings.
Archer, meanwhile, finished with figures of 29-11-59-2, confirming the suspicion that England possess a champion.
His first act of a thrilling eight-over spell had been to remove Tim Paine, caught at short leg for 23 to end a sixthwicket stand with Smith of 60. Australia’s coach Justin Langer had suggested his side would try to force Archer into his third and fourth spell, but instead he relished the workload.
In one over he averaged 92.79mph, the fastest by an England bowler since such data was first recorded in 2006. The world really does appear his oyster.
There was still time for Jack Leach to register his first Test wicket in England, and for Stuart Broad to dismiss Pat Cummins, having earlier had Matthew Wade well taken by Rory Burns.
But Broad’s plan had been for England to claim Australia’s last six wickets by lunch after they resumed on 80 for four. Instead, thanks mainly to Smith, their reply extended to 250 and tea, taken with England clutching a lead of eight. There were four sessions to go, and a tricky third innings beckoned.
So it proved. Jason Roy managed only two more than his first-innings duck before offering Cummins a return catch. Immediately, Joe Root feathered behind — his first golden duck in Tests, and grist to the mill of those who sense a chasm opening between him and Smith.
From nine for two, Burns and Joe Denly brought up their second half-century stand of the match, though both needed fortune. David Warner missed a tough chance at first slip after Denly edged Siddle on seven, while Burns would have been lbw to Nathan Lyon for 24 had Australia asked for a review.
But Siddle was not to be denied. Denly chipped back a return catch on 26, and it was 71 for four when Burns fenced a beauty to Paine. At that point, England’s lead was 79, with Ben Stokes hanging on against Lyon more by luck than judgment.
All results remain possible today, though a couple of early wickets will give Australia a gilt- edged chance of taking a 2-0 lead to Headingley. Paradoxically, England’s best hope may be t o be bowled out, l eaving Australia a stick-or-twist chase of around 200.
If yesterday provided untold drama, today could yet contain a surprise or two. And, for the second time in 24 hours, it could be all about Archer v Smith.