Ashes 2019: Steve Smith Not Afraid of Jofra Archer, Says “Other Bowlers Have Had More Success Against Me”

The Ashes didn’t leave a single moment to entertain us, be it with the on-field battle or the off-field. However, another statement has been added in the list when Steve Smith said Jofra Archer has never got him out. Although many feel that Jofra Archer might have upper hand against Steve Smith, after injury ruled Smith out of the second Ashes Test, Smith thinks other bowlers are more successful against him.

“He actually didn’t get me out. All the other bowlers have had more success against me, I daresay. I’ve faced them a bit more, but they’ve all got me out a lot more. I’m pretty comfortable with that. Now it’s just about getting out there and playing the game,” Smith said.

Steve Smith was ruled out of the second season of the second Test as well as the third test due to a late concussion which he had after getting hit by a bouncer of Jofra Archer. He walked off the field at 80, after getting hit in the uncovered area of his neck and soon fell on the ground. However, he returned to the squad and scored another 12 runs. He finally got out by Chris Woakes at 92. But failed the second concussion test and hence ruled out.

However, he has recovered and is all set to return in the circuit with the tour match against Derbyshire. With no symptoms of concussion, he is expected to play the fourth Test as well in Manchester next week, and he says he will not change his approach.

“I’m not really going to change anything,” Smith said. “There’s been a bit of talk that he’s got the wood over me, but he hasn’t actually got me out. He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down at Lord’s,” added the former Australia captain.

However, Smith needs to face short fast bowling in order to test his reaction speed and reflexes. However, on Sunday on the western wing of the empty stadium at Headingley, Smith faced Australian seamers Michael Neser and Mitch Marsh in the nets and it looked perfectly fine for him. He will even face Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson in the nets prior to the fourth Test, as all of them can bowl beyond the 150kph.

But when he was asked if he is expecting more short-pitched bowling from their arch-rival England, Smith had a stunning reply of it.

“If they’re bowling up there it means they can’t nick me off, or hit me on the pad or hit the stumps,” Smith said.“With the Dukes ball I don’t know, it’s an interesting ploy. So we’ll see what happens.”