Ashes 2023: Returning to the iconic Lord’s cricket ground this week in Ashes 2023, Australian batsman Steven Smith recalls his unsettling encounter with Jofra Archer’s fearsome bouncer during the 2019 Ashes. In a candid discussion with the ‘Legend of the Ashes’ podcast, Smith likened the feeling of being struck to the sensation of having downed “a dozen beers.” The incident was a defining moment in Smith’s career, and the batsman’s recollection of the event paints a vivid picture of his experience.
Saturday marked Steven Smith’s first return to Lord’s since the notorious Test match. As the Australian squad convened for practice, they steered clear of the centre wicket, symbolising the gravity of the forthcoming second Test. This match will signify Smith’s first competitive return to the ground since the unnerving episode that left him concussed.
Cricket fans around the world still recall the chilling scene. On a gloomy day at Lord’s, Smith, standing tall with 80 runs under his belt, faced Archer’s short ball. It connected with the back of his head, causing him to collapse on the pitch, an image that horrified spectators. He briefly made a comeback to the pitch after the fall of the next wicket, but soon fell lbw for 88, and was subsequently sidelined due to concussion.
“It was a very difficult period to get through,” Smith confessed during the podcast. He recollected a sequence of close calls preceding the fateful bouncer: a ball hitting his arm, a few narrowly escaped pull shots. However, the blow to the back of his head was different.
You may also read:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal Set To Be The New Number 3 In The Test Team: Reports
- Yashasvi Jaiswal Discloses The Advice Given By Rohit, Rahane And Kohli
Ashes 2023: Steve Smith recalls the moment when he was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer in 2019
In the immediate aftermath of the blow, Smith passed all the concussion tests. It was only after he had returned to the field, about half an hour later, that the adrenaline wore off, and he began to feel the disconcerting effects. “I started to feel quite groggy – probably like I’d had a dozen beers, to be honest,” he admitted.
Smith also elaborated on the unique challenges posed by the Lord’s ground, particularly under the bleak and changing weather conditions on that day. The dark and overcast sky made ball tracking difficult. Moreover, the smaller sightscreen at the members’ end, coupled with the distraction of the members themselves, added to the complexity.
These factors culminated in Smith not seeing the ball as well as he would have liked, contributing to the unfortunate incident. Today, he faces the challenge of returning to the same ground, under perhaps similar conditions, and overcoming his past experience.
Steven Smith’s candid recollection of his encounter with Jofra Archer’s bouncer, and his subsequent concussion, offers an unprecedented insight into the aftermath of such incidents. His return to Lord’s will undoubtedly be an emotionally charged event, a testament to his resilience and his love for the sport.
