At 11 minutes past four, as the first sozzled mid-afternoon cheer began to break around a wind-picked Old Trafford, Jofra Archer bowled a sharp, straight bouncer. Steve Smith ducked, splayed his feet and watched the ball arc past his nose. So far, so predictable.
Except, not quite. A post-work TV viewer coming to the moment blind and expecting fire, battle joined and tumbling wickets might have wondered why Archer was bowling in a short-sleeved jumper. On the TV monitors the speed gun flashed up: 82mph.
Written by Barney Ronay at Old Trafford
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/sep/04/steve-smith-jofra-archer-england-australia-ashes-rematch under the title “Steve Smith’s craft dampens English hopes of fiery Jofra Archer rematch | Barney Ronay”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
