Ashes 2019: Archer Hits Back At Smith As Mind Games Continue

Smith's remark regarding Jofra Archer made headlines; he said Archer couldn't get him out in the eventful second Ashes Test.

Australia premier batsman Steve Smith, Thursday, played in his first match since being concussed. Smith is set to return to Ashes series next week that is all square at 1-1 with two Test matches to play following England's dramatic one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley last week. Ahead of his Ashes comeback, Smith's remark regarding Jofra Archer made headlines; he said Archer couldn't get him out in the eventful second Ashes Test. Smith was floored by a vicious bouncer from Jofra Archer on day 4 of the Lord's Test. He returned to make 92, but was ruled out the next day due to delayed concussion which kept him out of the third Test at Headingley. Smith was trapped lbw to pacer Chris Woakes, eight runs short of his third consecutive Ashes hundred. "There's been a bit of talk that he's got the wood over me, but he hasn't actually got me out. "He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down at Lord's. "He actually didn't get me out. All the other bowlers have had more success against me, I daresay. "I've faced them a bit more, but they've all got me out a lot more," Smith was quoted as saying by www.cricket.com.au. In reply, Archer was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. "I can't get him out if he wasn't there. "I did want to bowl at him when he came back out (at Lord's) but he was out before I even got to come back on," Archer said. "But there'll be more than ample time to get him out. I'm not saying I won't get him out but if we don't get him out there are 10 other people we can get out and if he's stranded on 40 that's not helping his team too much. "He can't do it all himself. We want to win the game. I'm not here to get caught up in a contest with one man. I want to win the Ashes," he added.