What Really Went Down Between Steve Smith and Jofra Archer in the Second Test?

ByAnupam Pandey,SportsCafe Editor

Today at 5:13 PM

Steve Smith and Jofra Archer reminded the fans of the 2019 Ashes. But this time, it was Steve Smith who came out as the winner against Archer. Both of them had some exchange of words in the second Test match, which was followed by Smith finishing the game against Archer.

The Ashes is always incomplete without the banters from both sides. It is always the England's Barmy Army and Australia's Aussie Army against each other. But it is the clash between the players which makes the series more interesting. And this happened between Steve Smith and Jofra Archer during the second Test.

Words were exchanged from both sides, as Steve Smith took a dig at Jofra Archer. It also reminded fans of the fiery clash they had with each other during the 2019 Ashes, which was played in England. But the only difference between these two series was that Smith was able to get the upper hand this time.

1. Archer vs Smith: The Ashes 2025/26

Steve Smith and Jofra Archer faced each other after six years in the Test format. And this time, their clash turned into an exchange of words in the second Test match. While Australia was batting in their second innings, Steve Smith stood at one end of the crease when the target was way too close to be achieved.

During the last innings of the game, Jofra Archer was bowling the 9th over against Steve Smith. At this time, he was constantly bowling above 145 kmph, and Smith decided to take a dig on Archer for the same. He started off the over with a four, and attempted an upper cut later which was a play and miss.

But he exchanged some words with Archer in the start of the over. He said, “Bowl fast when there is nothing on, champion.” Archer went towards Smith but they were immediately separated. Later, Archer bowled a bouncer to Smith which was played fine for another boundary. This time also they exchanged words, but Jamie Smith stepped in between.

Smith went on to score yet another six against Archer in the game, which took Australia closer to the target. With Australia winning the game by 8 wickets, Smith scored 23 runs off 9 balls, of which 15 runs came against Jofra Archer. To the words and boundaries of Steve Smith, Jofra Archer had no answers.

Later in the Press Conference, Steve Smith said, “He (Jofra Archer) was bowling good pace. Not really too sure what he said and not sure what I said, either. And it's really none of your business, either (laughs). The adrenaline was pumping. Obviously, we didn't need too many to win and Jofra was bowling pretty quick, had a short boundary behind me and I though why not just try and get up and under a few and put a few in the stands. That was a huge win, great to go 2-nil up.”

2. 2019 Ashes Nostalgia

Steve Smith and Jofra Archer faced each other for the very first time in the 2019 Ashes. The series did end in a draw, as it was being played in England. Jofra Archer made his mark in the series, troubling the Australian batsmen with his impressive bowling skills.

And the moments which were remembered by the fans were between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith. At that time, Archer had the upper hand against Smith. But he was still not able to take his wicket. Archer finished the 2019 Ashes with 22 wickets in 8 innings at an average of 20.27, but none of these wickets included the scalp of Steve Smith.

However, it cannot be denied that Steve Smith was given a lot of blows by Jofra Archer. There were several bouncers bowled by Archer, which directly hit Steve Smith. Sometimes he was hit on his helmet, while other times he also took blows on his body off the deliveries against Jofra Archer.

But it didn't stop Steve Smith from dominating in the series against England. He was able to finish the series being the highest run scorer with a massive total of 774 runs in just 7 innings at an average of 110.57 per inning. Moreover, Smith was able to score 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries in the series.

3. Smith vs Archer Test Records

While Steve Smith has struggled a bit against Jofra Archer in the Test format, he has not allowed Archer to take his wicket even once. Whether it was the 2019 Ashes or the 2025/26 Ashes which is taking place right now, Smith has the upper hand. With the current series having three matches to go, Archer will be eager to dismiss Smith just once.

Steve Smith vs Jofra Archer in Tests:

Runs: 130
Balls: 220
Dismissals: 0
Average: -
Strike Rate: 59.1
Fours: 19
Sixes: 2

In the 2019 Ashes, Jofra Archer bowled a massive total of 164 deliveries to Steve Smith. But not even a single time, he was able to take his wicket, as he continued to trouble Smith with his pace and bounce. This time also, Smith has been able to catch the pace and bounce of Jofra Archer well, which allowed him to smash 2 sixes against him in this series.

4. Archer & Smith in IPL

Jofra Archer and Steve Smith might not have been on the same page in the international, but they have been on the same page in the IPL. Both of them have played for Rajasthan Royals for a few seasons, as they helped the team with both bat and ball. Fans still remember the match against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020, where Smith and Archer smashed 4 sixes each against the CSK bowlers.