Ricky Ponting Says Jofra Archer “Embarrassed Himself” in Exchange With Steve Smith

Ricky Ponting criticised Jofra Archer for failing to back up his words in a heated exchange with Steve Smith, saying the bowler only ended up embarrassing himself and England.

Former cricketer Ricky Ponting has weighed in on the heated verbal exchange between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith during the second Ashes Test. The incident occured on Day 4 when Archer delivered a sharp bouncer that Smith pulled to the boundary before attacking another short ball. Archer then directed some comments at the Australian captain. Steve Smith replied immediately and both players engaged in a short verbal argument.

WATCH |  Steve Smith and Jofra Archer Exchange Heated Words | 2nd Ashes Test

Ponting noted that the argument gained attention because Archer had not produced similar pace or consistency across the game. He believes Archer should have shown the same pace on Day 3, when England needed early wickets to stay in the match.

“When I ‘championed’ him, I could actually hear what Steve Smith had said to him in the stump mic. Smithy said champion, and then that’s just what came out of my mouth, but it just got me going and got the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. There haven’t been many games that I’ve commentated that I wish I was back playing again. But I wish I was out there the other night as part of that, because that’s what you miss and that’s what it’s all about,” Ponting was quoted as saying on SEN.

“But look, for Jofra, he just embarrassed himself. And he embarrassed his team the other night, that’s what I make of that. To bowl his fastest spell ever in Test cricket, when Australia’s chasing 60… it (the fast spell) has been there the whole time, it’s been up his sleeve. England have needed him to do it, and he hasn’t been willing to do it,” he added.

Ricky Ponting Questions England’s Mindset

Ponting also opined that England entered Day 3 with a relaxed attitude that did not match the demands of Ashes, allowing Australia to gain control.

READ ALSO | Steve Smith Downplays Fiery Jofra Archer Exchange After Brisbane Win

“Day 3, when they needed him to do it, he rocks up with his pillow under his arm, and that was always going to be a bad day for England from that moment. As soon as anyone saw that it was going to be ‘Okay, there’s their mindset for the day. They’re just going to rock up and Australia’s going to fall over and we’ll bowl them out’. Well, that doesn’t happen against Australia, it doesn’t happen in Ashes cricket,” Ricky Ponting concluded.