Ashes 2019: Jofra Archer will demand to bowl at Steve Smith - Stuart Broad
- Published
Jofra Archer took five wickets at Lord's and eight at Headingley
Men's Ashes 2019: England v Australia, fourth Specsavers Ashes Test |
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Venue: Old Trafford Dates: 4-8 September Time: 11:00 BST |
Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sport website, plus in-play highlights and text commentary. |
England's Jofra Archer will demand to bowl at Australia batsman Steve Smith in the fourth Ashes Test starting on Wednesday, says fellow fast bowler Stuart Broad.
Smith missed his side's third-Test loss with concussion after being hit on the neck by an Archer bouncer at Lord's.
"He hasn't actually got me out," said Smith,, external who will return at Old Trafford.
"Jofra is a fantastic bowler - but he's an even better bowler when he gets challenged," Broad told BBC Sport.
"I know when Steve Smith walks to the crease, Jofra will be walking to [captain] Joe Root saying: 'Give me that ball."
The five-match series is level at 1-1 after England's epic one-wicket victory at Headingley, although holders Australia will retain the Ashes if they win either of the final two Tests.
Archer, 24, qualified to play for England in March, made his debut in May, bowled the super over as the hosts won the World Cup in July and has taken 13 Test wickets at an average of 13.53 since his first appearance at Lord's.
"We've seen him stand up to a lot of high-pressure scenarios already in his young international career," said Broad.
"I'm going to be a very interested viewer from mid-on because they're two world-class players going against each other, with a little bit of verbal niggle going around as well.
"That's what Ashes cricket is about - the theatre, the excitement, the enjoyment."
Smith retired hurt on 80 on the fourth day of the second Test after ducking into an Archer delivery clocked at 92mph. He had already received treatment after being struck on the arm by a short ball from the bowler.
Although Smith returned to make 92, he was replaced by concussion substitute Marnus Labuschagne in the second innings as Australia survived to draw the Test.
Smith, who made twin centuries in the first Test, is averaging 126 from three innings in the series, having been dismissed twice by Chris Woakes and once by Broad.
Smith scored 23 in Australia's innings-and-54-run win in the tour match against Derbyshire, which ended on Saturday.
Australia coach Justin Langer said: "Steve Smith is in a great place. He's an all-time great player for a reason and he can't wait to play this Test."
Asked whether the incident at Lord's will affect Smith's thinking, Langer said: "Maybe. But he's one of the most organised thinkers in the game of cricket.
"All our guys will have plans for England's fast bowlers, as I'm sure England will have plans for our fast bowlers."
Smith's return at number four in the order could mean Labuschagne - with scores of 59, 74 and 80 in the series - shifting from four to three, and number three Usman Khawaja moving up to open in place of Marcus Harris.