NEW DELHI: Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, reacting to the verbal clash between Jofra Archer and Australian captain Steve Smith during the second Ashes Test, said the England pacer embarrassed himself by failing to deliver the pace and aggression when it was most needed earlier in the match.
Engaged in a fiery exchange on Day 4 of the day-night Test, when Archer fired down a searing short ball to Smith, which dispatched it to the boundary with an impressive pull shot. The next delivery was again short, and Smith attempted to lift it over the slip cordon, sparking a reaction from Archer, who directed a few verbal barbs at the Aussie skipper.
Archer was picked up on the stump mic, saying, "Likes to play shots when there’s not much on the scoreboard." It lit a fuse under Smith who returned serve, the stump microphone picking up the exchange. “You bowl fast when there’s nothing going on champion, ” Smith said.