Steve Smith is winning his duel with England fast bowler Jofra Archer, says ex-Australia captain Tim Paine.
Archer continued his personal battle with Smith on the final day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane with a hostile spell that saw him bowl several rapid short-pitched deliveries at Australia’s stand-in captain.
Smith, however, stood firm – first sledging the England quick and then hooking Gus Atkinson for the six that sealed victory and a 2-0 series lead with three to play.
Archer has now bowled 220 balls at Smith without dismissing him in Test cricket, more than any other bowler he has faced, though that does not take into account a blow the batter sustained at Lord’s in 2019.
Smith was forced to retire hurt after being hit in the neck by a brutal bouncer and was subsequently ruled out of the next Test with concussion.
“There’s a lot of huff and puff from big Jof at the moment. Steve Smith is winning that battle hands down,” said Paine.
“It’s really a crucial battle to the rest of the Ashes series. [At the moment] it’s another battle that Smithy won, so he continues to build his record against him.”
Paine, though, does believe England will enjoy the conditions in Adelaide for the third Test, which begins on Wednesday (23:30 GMT, Tuesday).
“If England get it right, they’re going to be really dangerous,” said Paine, who was speaking at the Adelaide Oval.
“If there’s any wicket and ground in the country that suits them more than this, I don’t think there is on – so there will be a fascinating Test match.”