16 May 2023 , 16:59
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Steve Smith has hit back at claims he was "terrorised" by Jofra Archer by questioning when the England bowler actually got the better of him in the last Ashes series.
England's bowler has been ruled out of this year's series as he deals with a recurrence of the stress fracture in his right elbow, which will keep him out for the entirety of the summer. It is a blow to the hosts, who are aiming to regain the urn, which they haven't held since 2017.
Smith was crucial in Australia's victory on foreign soil when they last visited four years ago. The batsman, who was regularly ridiculed by the home crowd due to his involvement in a ball-tampering scandal, went on to be named Player of the Series having scored more runs than anyone.
Archer was the man leading England's efforts to combat the Australian, with the pair enduring several battles worthy of highlight reels. Smith was struck in the head by a ball from Archer, eventually forcing him off, which led to him missing the next Test at Headingley.
Throughout the five-match series though, which ended in a 2-2 draw, Smith was never dismissed by Archer during his seven innings - something he was keen to remind people of. On social media, he responded to one account by saying: "Terrorised? Remind me when I was dismissed by him..."
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The batsman, in his seven innings, would go on to score three centuries and three 50s with a high score of 211. Archer’s most devastating spell saw him finish with figures of 6-45, but that was when Smith was absent. He took another six-wicket haul at the Oval, but Smith was the only Australian to pass fifty in the innings, as England won to draw the series 2-2.
Steve Smith took a blow to the head when facing Jofra Archer's bowling in 2019In the latest series England were well beaten, drawing the final Test to avoid a series whitewash down under. England have won four of the past five home series and will hope to continue that form and regain the urn this summer with their squad now announced.
James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and Matthew Potts, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are all bowling options for the hosts with the first Test beginning on June 16 at Edgbaston. Jonny Bairstow has also earned a recall to the Test squad as wicketkeeper in place of Ben Foakes.
Smith is currently in England with Sussex as he prepares for the summer as vice-captain with Pat Cummins captaining the visitors. The likes of Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon and David Warner are part of the squad having enjoyed success in England four years ago.