AUS vs ENG | Twitter on edge as Steve Smith trumps Jofra Archer in epic ego battle with audacious six

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ByVenkateswaran N, SportsCafe Editor

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Test cricket comes alive when top cricketers turn up against each other, and the Jofra Archer-Steve Smith showdown was one for the ages. The Australian skipper shredded the England pacer’s ego with audacious shots behind the wicketkeeper to show who the boss is at the Gabba in Brisbane.

‌With England fighting out the first session of the penultimate day without losing a wicket, it was expected that they would set a challenging total for Australia in the final innings of the second Test in Brisbane. Overnight pair ot Captain Ben Stokes and Will Jacks put on a fighting 96-run stand for the seventh wicket in 221 balls before the Aussies finally found a breakthrough.

From then on, the visitors collapsed despite Stokes’ fighting half-century to set a paltry target of 65 for the home side. However, Jofra Archer decided to make things tough for the top-order batters as he sent shockwaves through the speedometer. He was touching the 150s as he banged the ball in short, targeting the rib cage and the helmet of the batters.

However, Steve Smith decided to take down the short stuff as he pulled Archer in front of square off the first ball of the ninth over. The England pacer was not impressed as he fastened things up with even quicker short balls.

The Aussie captain was ready to face whatever was thrown at him, top edging a bounder over the wicketkeeper for another boundary. This riled up the Rajasthan Royals pacer further as he came up to Smith and exchanged words, making the environment more hostile.

Smith responded in the same vein 'Bowl fast when there is nothing going on, Champion'  before hooking a 150.5 kmph thunderball over the fine leg fielder. Archer was clearly losing the battle as he turned back with a sheepish smile, and the Aussie skipper showed him his place. Twitter was on the edge as the clash of the titans raised a game above its foregone conclusion.

Heated scenes

Good exchange

Fast

Again

Good one

Loved it

Smudge

Sledging?

Smashed

Too late

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