5 batsmen who can bat well against Jofra Archer

2. Steve Smith

There is a constant debate about who is the best batsman in the world at the moment. That may be a debate for other formats or across formats, but in Test cricket, Steve Smith is a notch above everyone. The consistency the former Australian skipper has shown is simply outstanding. He averages 63.24 in the longest format which is second only to the great Sir Don Bradman.

Smith missed Test cricket for 16 months in between due to the ban he faced for the ball-tampering saga. However, it hardly seemed he was out of action for so long. The conditions, the opposition or the bowlers didn’t matter as Smith continued to pile on the runs. Opposition teams and bowlers may already be sick and tired of watching Smith bat.

England have had a first-hand experience. They found it almost impossible to get him out in the 2017-18 Ashes down under and things haven’t changed much this time around. However, they did find an answer in Jofra Archer who troubled Smith quite a bit. It was Test cricket at its peak when the two faced each other. While Smith had answers, for the most part, Archer was the only bowler who had him in trouble. In the end, Archer struck Smith on the back of the neck which ruled the former Aussie skipper with a concussion.

However, Smith is too good a batsman not to counter someone like Archer the next time they face each other. Thus, this is another riveting battle and we may not have to wait long for this one. Smith will be back for the fourth Test and if Archer remains fit, we may have another exciting contest.