Ashes 2019 | I'm not here to get caught up in a contest with one man, says Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer has never been shy of expressing his views - be it via interviews or through Twitter, and now, the speedster hasn't held himself back ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. In an extremely fiery interview, the 24-year-old has stated that he is ready to reignite his battle with Australian talisman Steve Smith, who he hit on the neck at Lord's. 

Yesterday, Smith said that Archer didn't have the wood over him as the pacer hadn't dismissed him yet, and responding to those comments, Archer has said that he'll only be able to dismiss the Aussie if he takes the field. Furthermore, Archer also added that he wasn't interested in getting caught up in a battle with a single batsman and that he was there to win the Ashes.

"Well, I can't get him out if he wasn't there. But there'll be more than ample time to get him out. I'm not saying I won't get him out but if we don't get him out there are 10 other people we can get out and if he's stranded on 40 that's not helping his team too much," Archer was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"He can't do it all himself. We want to win the game. I'm not here to get caught up in a contest with one man. I want to win the Ashes," he added.

After setting a target of 359 at Headingley, the Aussies failed to capitalize on their chances as they gave multiple reprieves to Ben Stokes, who eventually blew them off the park. Speaking about the match, Archer said that Australia panicked a bit towards the end, while adding that they will think twice before declaring in the next two matches. He also said that he expects Australia to follow a defensive approach in the matches to come.

"To be fair, 359 runs is a lot of runs. The crowd started to get on their backs as well, I think they panicked a bit. They probably thought they were going to roll us if they got a few quick early wickets but they didn't and I'm glad we showed some resistance because the series isn't over and in the upcoming games I don't think they'll declare now.

"If they do have a chance I don't think they'll be too attacking. If they draw the series they still get to retain the Ashes. They were in the field for a long time. They got to the second new ball and still couldn't bowl us out. All of those mental facts should sit with them next game," he said.