Jake Weatherald’s exchange of words with England captain Ben Stokes have come to light following Steve Smith’s tense battle with Jofra Archer in Brisbane. Australia humiliated England with an eight-wicket victory at the Gabba Test with fast-bowler Archer finding his voice when the cause was lost during the final overs of the cricket match.
Archer opted to share some words with Smith with Australia only needing a handful of runs to win the match, which prompted the two to come face-to-face. “Bowl fast when there is nothing going on, champion,” Smith said after the pair shared words.
Jake Weatherald (pictured middle) also shared some words with Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer during Steve Smith’s battle out in the middle. (Images: Getty Images)
But it turns out Weatherald also got involved in the exchange having questioned Archer for only voicing his view at the end of the match. “Spit it out if you are going to say something,” he was heard saying on the stump mic, revealed by Fox Sports.
Although England captain then got involved and took a swipe at the opener’s confidence. “You got 70 and started chatting,” Stokes said of Weatherald. He was referring to Weatherald’s first innings where he scored 72, the second-highest total for an Australian player.
“I was only saying something because you were saying something now,” Weatherald responded. “I say it with a smile on my face though Jake,” Stokes said appearing to play down the tense situation. But the exchange backfired when Smith doubled down hitting a four off Archer’s next ball. He then followed it up with a six after Archer bowled a bouncer.
Australia’s duo also saw out the end of the innings to remain not out and hand England their second straight defeat in the Ashes. And England’s late attempt of intimidation, when they had just about lost the game, hasn’t been well received.
Many, like Smith and Weatherald, felt Archer’s chirping late on day four was not a good look considering he had not produced a match-winning spell. Archer has bowled well throughout the first two Tests, but it has not been enough for England with Australia’s batters dominating. Smith punishing Archer’s bowling only emphasised Australia’s dominance over England as the visitors scramble to adapt ahead of the Adelaide Test.
Jofra Archer (pictured left) and Steve Smith (pictured right) exchanged words during the Test match.
Ricky Ponting calls out Jofra Archer
Former Aussie captain was quick to call out Archer during the Channel 7 broadcast. Ponting felt Archer picked the wrong time to get in Smith’s face and the intimidation mind games could have started earlier. “Jofra’s finally come to life, six days into the series, when the second Test match is gone – he starts chirping. Too late for that, champ,” the former Australia captain said.
“That’s what Smithy said to him as well, ‘Bowling quick now, mate, when the game is over – good on ya’. Now they’ve all started. Too late, boys. You’ve had your chance for four days. You haven’t been good enough, (and) it’s too late to start.” And many fans agreed with Ponting’s take.
Steve Smith refuses to detail Jofra Archer exchange
When asked about what was exchanged out on the pitch, Smith refused to go into detail. Although he admitted Archer was bowling very quick. “I’m not really too sure what he said and I’m not sure what I said, either. It’s not really any of your business either. We’ll leave it out there,” he added with a cheeky laugh.
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The resounding eight-wicket win was Smith’s second-straight as skipper, but he’s happy to hand the armband back to Pat Cummins for the third Test in Adelaide. Selectors have also indicated veteran spinner Nathan Lyon will return, making Australia’s bowling attack look even more formidable. But Smith is expecting a major bounce-back from Ben Stokes’ wounded tourists.
Steve Smith (pictured right) and Jake Weatherald (pictured left) were in the thick of things against England on day four of the Gabba Test.