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Ashes 2019: Jofra Archer's spell to Steve Smith brings back memories of 2005, says Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting compares Jofra Archer's spell to that of Steve Harmison in 2005. Here is what he had to say
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting campared Jofra Archer's fiery spell of pace bowling to Steve Smith with that of Steve Harmison's spell on the first day of the Ashes series in 2005. At that time, Steve Harmison left Ponting bleeding while Jofra Archer's pace saw Steve Smith taking a blow on the neck which forced him to retire hurt.
"That was a really fiery morning and last night brought back a few memories of what it was like. I remember when I got hit, I think Vaughny (Michael Vaughan) said to his players, no one go and say a word to him and check if he's OK. Which was fine by me, because my eyes were going a bit as it was, so I reckon I would have told them to get away in no uncertain terms anyway," Ponting told cricket.com.au.
"Looking back, that's the way you want to play your cricket. You want to be involved in full-on Ashes battles and that day was as full-on as it got me as a player. It was on for young and old. And watching last night, it was probably as full-on as it's ever been for Smithy and most of the Australians in Ashes cricket recently."
Ponting expects more intense battles between Steve Smith and Jofra Archer in the remaining games.
He said, "I don't think it'll be a series-defining spell. He's made 92 again. I know he'd make 70 or so before he copped that first knock and I wouldn’t be surprised if they do attack him a bit more now. But one thing I like is that Archer didn’t get Smith out. Smithy got through it without losing his wicket. Assuming everything is OK with that blow in the neck, he'll front up and do it all again in the second innings."
"Smith coming back onto the ground might seem incredibly courageous to the average person sitting back and watching it, but that's just what you're expected to do. That's part of the job of being a Test batsmen."
