WATCH: Jofra Archer and Steve Smith get involved in heated exchanges on Day 4 of the pink ball Test
Jofra Archer And Steve Smith delivered the most explosive moment of the pink-ball Test at the Gabba on Day 4, engaging in a heated mid-court confrontation during Australia’s pursuit of a 65-run target. The fiery exchange reignited a rivalry that had been simmering since Archer’s iconic hostile spell at Lord’s in 2019, ultimately adding new drama to a match against Australia. won by eight wickets to take a 2-0 Ashes lead.
Jofra Archer and Steve Smith clash in spicy scenes at the Gabba
The flashpoint unfolded as Archer picked up his pace to the 140s and 150s, launching a sequence of short balls at the Australian captain. Smith, already in attacking rhythm, had earlier pushed Archer on the slides to reach a boundary, paving the way for a tense faceoff.
Mid-on, Archer bowled a sharp bouncer which whistled past Smith’s helmet, provoking a verbal taunt from the bowler. Smith walked onto the field to respond, and stump mics captured him firing back: “Play fast when nothing is happening, champion. »
The two briefly clashed before being separated by on-field referee Paul Reiffel and nearby players. Archer continued to play short, but Smith countered the challenge with aggressive intent – landing a shot for four before sending another hook into the stands. However, what started as a routine chase quickly turned into one of the most gripping Ashes duels in recent years.
In just a few minutes, images of the confrontation went viral on X, Instagram and Facebook. Fans described the moment as “Peak Ashes Theater” celebrating the raw competition between two of cricket’s greatest modern figures. Many noted how the hostile exchanges took viewers back to 2019, when Archer’s blistering pace forced Smith to retire injured at Lord’s.
Pundits were divided — some praised Archer for showing fire even with the test all but over, while others applauded Smith’s composure and counterpunching.
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Smith scores winning runs for Australia
Smith had the final say on the scoreboard and the rivalry. He finished unbeaten on 23 off nine balls, sealing victory in style by throwing Gus Atkinson for an imposing six over midwicket. His early appearance allowed Australia to finish the match quickly, further cementing their dominance in the series.
As the teams now look towards the third Test in Adelaide, commentators have predicted that the Archer-Smith battle will remain one of the defining storylines. With both men clearly emotionally and competitively invested, the stage is set for another dramatic encounter under the lights.
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