Jofra : Regarding the Archer-Smith “Episode” in the second test, Ricky Ponting said, “Jofra embarrassed himself and his team.”

Jofra : Fans were captivated by a number of “heated” exchanges between England fast Jofra Archer and Australian skipper Steve Smith during the Brisbane Test. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting responded to the widely reported incident by saying that the English bowler disgraced himself by not providing the speed and ferocity that was really required earlier in the game.

Smith’s attempt to heave a brief delivery over the slip cordon was the beginning of it all. Archer responded to this by making a few verbal punches at the Australian captain.

As Smith accepted the challenge and gathered runners for his team to cross the finish line, bouncers came one after the other following the altercation between Smith and Archer.

During his stump mic appearance, Archer said, “Likes to play shots when there’s not much on the scoreboard.” The stump microphone captured the interaction as Smith returned serve after it sparked a fuse underneath him. “You bowl fast when there’s nothing going on champion,” said Smith.

According to Ponting, who watched the game from the commentary box, Archer had “embarrassed himself” and the squad.

“I could clearly hear what Steve Smith had said to him over the stump mike as I ‘championed’ him. That’s exactly what I said when Smithy shouted “champion,” but it really got me fired up and made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Not many of the games I’ve commented on make me wish I could play them again. However, Ponting told SEN, “I wish I was there the other night as part of that because that’s what you miss and that’s what it’s all about.”

“However, I see Jofra’s actions as embarrassing both himself and his squad the other night. When Australia is chasing 60, he bowls his quickest spell ever in Test cricket. England has needed him to do this, but he hasn’t been ready to do it. The fast spell has been there the whole time, under his sleeve.

“I could clearly hear what Steve Smith had said to him over the stump mike as I ‘championed’ him. That’s exactly what I said when Smithy shouted “champion,” but it really got me fired up and made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Not many of the games I’ve commented on make me wish I could play them again. However, Ponting told SEN, “I wish I was there the other night as part of that because that’s what you miss and that’s what it’s all about.”