Playing in his maiden Ashes series, Jofra Archer feels Australians are ‘terrible’ at sledging
Archer has hogged the limelight vry early in his Test career.
He was criticised during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s for smiling after hitting Steve Smith on the back of his neck with a brutal bouncer. But the Barbados-born Jofra Archer, who made his Test debut in the same match, also has an observation over his opponents. According to the 24-year-old fast bowler who is known for generating tearaway pace, the Kangaroos are “terrible” in sledging. Welcome to the men’s world, Jofra!
England fought hard in the third Test at Leeds despite getting bowled out for 67 in reply to Australia’s 179. Archer registered his career-best figures of 6 for 45 in that innings. Australia then made 246 with Archer taking a couple and the hosts were left to score 359 to level the series they were trailing 0-1.
England slumped from a comfortable position to 286 for 9 before centurion Ben Stokes and No.11 Jack Leach scripted a miraculous recovery to add match-winning 76 runs for the final wicket.
England then accused Australia of panic and complacency as the visitors’ mind games heated up as the match turned intense. Tim Paine’s side missed two opportunities when England still needed two runs to win and they were off Nathan Lyon’s bowling. The debacle was devastating for current Ashes holders.
Australians taunted Archer after he got out
Jofra Archer claimed he was taunted after getting dismissed in the dramatic final session at Leeds. Coming out at No.9 with England still needing almost 100 runs, Archer scored 15 off 33 deliveries and hit three boundaries during the brief knock. He went after Lyon in search of the third boundary in the over but was caught by Travis Head near the rope.
“It was a terrible chat. Nothing to worry about. It made me laugh,” Archer said. “It was either Tim Paine or Matthew Wade but someone said ‘that is a great shot Jof’. You should never get complacent … the crowd started getting on their backs and I think they panicked a bit.,” Fox Sports quoted Archer as saying.
England players are not the first ones to accuse Paine’s men of sledging. In the last Australian summer, Paine had his moments of verbal exchanges with Indian counterpart Virat Kohli and keeper Rishabh Pant during the four-match series that the hosts lost 1-2.
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