Archer Faces Challenging Historical Record Against Smith

In the ongoing cricket rivalry, Jofra Archer faces a pressing challenge against Australian batsman Steve Smith during the second Test at the Gabba. With Archer having bowled 189 deliveries to Smith without dismissal, he teeters on the brink of setting an unfortunate Test cricket record.

Archer’s Struggles Against Smith

Currently, Archer has a 0-96 record from his 189 balls bowled to Smith. According to Opta data, he is just 26 deliveries away from surpassing the record held by South African allrounder Vernon Philander. Philander previously bowled 214 balls to Smith without taking his wicket.

Historical Context

This rivalry traces back to their first encounter at Lord’s in 2019. In that match, Archer managed to dismiss Smith only once in ODI cricket, while Smith scored 60 before a concussion sidelined him for subsequent matches.

The Impact of Their Rivalry

The outcome of this Test could significantly influence the ongoing Ashes series, as England aims to rebound from a previous defeat in Perth. In recent discussions, Smith has acknowledged the narrative surrounding his batting prowess, stating he is not focused on the external perceptions of his rivalry against Archer.

Recent Developments and Future Matches

Australia chose Steve Smith as captain for the current second Test, running from December 4 to 8 at the Gabba in Brisbane. The cricketing schedule includes:

• First Test: Australia won by eight wickets
• Second Test: December 4-8 at The Gabba, Brisbane
• Third Test: December 17-21 at Adelaide Oval
• Fourth Test: December 26-30 at MCG, Melbourne
• Fifth Test: January 4-8 at SCG, Sydney

Squads for the Second Test

The two teams competing in the second Test are as follows:

The cricket community eagerly anticipates how Archer will respond to this challenging historical record against Smith. As the series progresses, the pressure builds on Archer to make a significant impact and perhaps rewrite the narrative surrounding their encounters.