Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Jofra Archer for walking away while Smith was injured. Steve Smith was hit by a deadly 148 kmph bouncer by Archer. He was retired hurt and left the ground and after a 40 min break and few medical checks, the former captain was back on the field and played a brave knock of 92.
Shoaib Akhtar tweeted – “Bouncers are a part & parcel of the game but whenever a bowler hits a batsman on the head and he falls, courtesy requires that the bowler must go & check on him. It was not nice of Archer to just walk away while Smith was in pain. I was always the first one to run to the batsman,”.
Bouncers are a part & parcel of the game but whenever a bowler hits a batsman on the head and he falls, courtesy requires that the bowler must go & check on him. It was not nice of Archer to just walk away while Smith was in pain. I was always the first one to run to the batsman.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 18, 2019
The second Test at Lord’s ended in an exciting draw as the rain had the final say. England tried hard to force a result but the Aussie batting hung on to get a good draw and go into the third Test still 1-0 up. The hosts would have been extremely happy with the debut of Jofra Archer as he was breathing fire and did make the Australian batting really uncomfortable through the Test.
Steve Smith who once again played brilliantly was hit by a sharp Archer bouncer and had to retire. He was struck on the neck just below the left ear by a 92.4 mph bouncer and paused his innings on 80. After a 40 min break and few medical checks, the former captain was back on the field and played a beautiful knock of 92 in 161 deliveries which includes 14 fours.
Steve Smith has reclaimed the No.2 spot in MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen.
Jofra Archer ended with five wickets in the match to cap off a successful debut. However, the 2nd Ashes test ended drawn. And Australia leads the series with 1-0.
