Obviously, You Don’t Ever Want A Cricket Related Death: Jofra Archer On His Dangerous Bouncer To Steve Smith In 2019 Ashes

England pace bowler Jofra Archer recalled the fearsome moment of his cricket career during the 2019 Ashes in England.

Archer was making his Test debut at Lord’s, coming fresh from helping England to win the 2019 World Cup at the same venue.

Archer bowled a 92.4 mph bouncer, which hit Australian batter, Steve Smith, on the side of his head and subsequently fell face forward on the ground before he was attended by the medical staff of both Australia and England teams.

There were concerns regarding Smith facing concussion, and it was appalling especially after what happened to Phil Hughes in 2014 during a Sheffield Shield match.

I thought it was very serious: Jofra Archer

Two years later after bowling that delivery, Archer still gets shaken when he thinks about it and also admitted that he got very serious at that point.

Archer said that the batters find it worse when they are struck with the ball in England due to climatic conditions.

“I think in England personally when the ball hits you it can feel a lot worse than it is because sometimes it’s a bit cold and I thought it was that until I actually saw him roll … when he went down and then he rolled on his back, I went ‘oh dear,’ you know,” Archer told News Corp.

“I thought it was very serious, but he came out and he batted again. Obviously, you don’t ever want a cricket related death. There was one already and there’s no need for another one. It’s hard enough trying to get the kids to come and play cricket,” he added.

Jofra Archer appreciates Steve Smith’s resilience

Smith scored 92 in that innings and before he could reach his third hundred in a row, he was trapped before the wicket by Chris Woakes.

However, the star Australian batter was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne in the second innings as a concussed substitute.

Archer applauded the courage and resilience of Smith and also mentioned about being unable to get his precious wicket in the entire series.

“I know they say he’s tough as nails anyway, but I don’t think he would have come out to bat again if he wasn’t. Just his resilience. You are putting yourself out there and risking everything for your team,” Archer said.

“Honestly, throughout that whole series, I just think his wicket wasn’t for me. There were a few top edges that could have gone to hand. But I just enjoyed the challenge,” he added.

Archer picked a total of five wickets on his debut match and ended up accounting for 22 scalps in four games, the most by an England bowler.

Also Read: Shane Warne Reveals His Conversation With Steve Smith On Call After Disapproving Him For Australia’s Test Vice-Captain Role