Archer failed to dismiss Smith even once throughout the Ashes series in 2019.
England pacer Jofra Archer has recalled the riveting moment of the 2019 Ashes when Steve Smith was hit on the neck off his short-delivery during the Lord’s Test.
Archer said his blow could've resulted in serious damage to the Australian batter and the cricket world couldn't afford another casualty on the field.
Referring to the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit by a short-pitched delivery during a domestic Sheffield Shield match in 2014, the 26-year-old admitted having fears of another cricket-related death when Smith was shot down by his bouncer at Lord’s.
In the second Ashes 2019 Test at Lord’s, Smith was already hit on the arm earlier in the afternoon session, and just overs later, Archer bowled another vicious bumper on the fourth day that hit on the side of the head of the Aussie batter, resulting in a concussion.
Archer told NewsCorp: “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.”
The pacer further explained, “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.”
Notably, Smith finished the 2019 Ashes with staggering 774 runs in seven innings at an average of 110.57 including a double hundred, two tons, and three fifties, and even without getting dismissed by Archer.
He signed off by saying, “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. 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.”