The ongoing contest between England’s Jofra Archer and Australia’s Steve Smith at the Gabba has taken an intriguing turn as Archer finds himself on the brink of an unwelcome statistic. As of now, Archer has bowled 189 balls to Smith, but his figures stand at a stark 0-96. Should he bowl just 26 more deliveries without taking Smith’s wicket, he will break a record for the most balls bowled to Smith in Test cricket without achieving a dismissal.
Currently, the unfortunate record is held by retired South African allrounder Vernon Philander, who bowled 214 balls to Smith without success during his career. The iconic encounters between the two began during the 2019 Ashes series at Lord’s, where Archer managed to dismiss Smith once—but under dubious circumstances. Smith was later substituted from the match due to a concussion and missed the subsequent Test, leaving the rivalry unresolved.
This second Test is crucial for England, which is looking to recover from their recent defeat in Perth. Archer’s efforts will be pivotal not just for individual statistics, but for the larger context of retaining the Ashes. The rivalry has been documented in a recent episode of cricket.com.au’s “Stories After Stumps,” titled “Best Since Bradman: The Return of Steven Smith.” In this episode, Smith reflects on his dramatic return to Test cricket post the Cape Town controversy, where he amassed over 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes, solidifying his status as a dominant force in cricket.
The intense competition between Smith and Archer has sparked various discussions. Notably, Stuart Broad once suggested that Archer would eagerly want to bowl to Smith every time he came to bat. Smith’s rebuttal showcased his confidence, emphasizing that despite the chatter around Archer’s prowess against him, he hasn’t truly been dismissed.
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The narrative deepens with Archer still seeking to claim Smith as a wicket after all these years. Observers and analysts are captivated by how both players have evolved since their first encounter, with Smith’s ability to score heavily seemingly unaffected by Archer’s persistent attempts. As the Ashes series progresses, the outcome of this particular showdown may hold significant implications for both players and their respective teams.
The current series holds crucial matches ahead, with five Test matches lined up in different locations across Australia. The squads for the second Test reflect a strong lineup for both England and Australia, with each team looking to assert dominance in this celebrated cricketing rivalry.
