Ashes 2019: Stuart Broad looking forward to Archer-Smith duel
What's the story
Veteran England pacer Stuart Broad is waiting to relish the battle between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith in the upcoming fourth Ashes Test 2019. The fourth Test is set to be held at Old Trafford in Manchester from September 4 onwards. Smith is set to return for Australia after missing the Headingley Test due to a concussion. Here's more.
Incident
Smith suffered twin blows at Lord's Test
Smith suffered the first injury when a rising ball from Jofra Archer struck his forearm. He was writhing in pain and had to bandage his arm. Despite batting on, a few moments later, Archer's short ball felled Smith. The right-handed batsman was lying flat on his back before getting up to applause from the crowd. He couldn't continue though and retired hurt.
Smith
Smith was struck on an unprotected part of his neck
Archer's deliver that clocked 92.4 mph hit Smith on an unprotected part of his neck. Smith's helmet didn't have the additional stem guard neck protection. The batsman was ruled out of the final day, besides the Headingley Test as well. Marnus Labuschagne came on as a replacement substitute for the concussed Smith in the second Ashes Test at Lord's. Since coming on, he impressed.
Broad's views
Hopefully we can have a battle like that again: Broad
"It was a really tasty bit of cricket at Lord's. Smith was on 80, playing beautifully, and Jofra went from 84mph to 95mph. He was really charging in," Broad said. "That sort of cricket is awesome to watch on the telly or from the stands but when you're stood at mid-on, it's pretty special. Hopefully we can have a battle like that again."
Smith on Archer
Here's what Smith had said regarding Archer
Smith has earlier said that he was expecting a lot of short balls being directed at him in Manchester. "There's been a bit of talk that he's (Archer) 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," said Smith.
Our take
One expects a relishing duel between the two
Both these players will be relishing the duel in the fourth Test. Archer has been terrific with the ball so far in the two Tests he has featured in. Smith was on song in the first two games and amassed 378 runs. With so much talks centering around the two and the position of the series, this could be a defining battle.