Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting strongly criticised England pacer Jofra Archer for his conduct and performance during the second Ashes Test, particularly during his heated exchange with Australian skipper Steve Smith. Ponting felt that Archer “embarrassed himself” and his team by failing to show the required pace and intensity earlier in the match when it truly mattered.
The verbal clash erupted on Day 4 of the day-night Test after Archer bowled a sharp short delivery that Smith pulled to the boundary. The next ball, another bouncer, saw Smith trying to guide it over the slips, prompting Archer to direct a few remarks at him. Archer was caught on the stump mic saying, “Likes to play shots when there’s not much on the scoreboard,” which led Smith to fire back with, “You bowl fast when there’s nothing going on, champion.”
Ponting Reflects On The Heated Moment And His Own Emotions
Ricky Ponting, who was in the commentary box at the time, admitted the fiery exchange stirred something inside him, almost making him wish he were still playing. He said he reacted instinctively when he heard Smith use the word “champion,” explaining that it “got the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.”
According to Ponting, matches like these remind players what high-pressure Ashes cricket is all about. However, he firmly believed Archer’s behaviour and delayed aggression reflected poorly on him. Ponting stressed that showing intensity only when Australia needed 60 to win was pointless, especially when England had required his firepower much earlier.
England’s Mindset Questioned As Ponting Highlights Archer’s Lapses
Ponting argued that Jofra Archer had the ability to bowl his fastest spell much earlier but chose not to, which hurt England’s chances. He pointed out that on Day 3, Archer arrived looking lethargic, claiming he “rocks up with his pillow under his arm,” a gesture that, according to Ponting, exposed England’s casual mindset.
This attitude, he said, suggested they expected Australia to collapse without effort—an unrealistic assumption in Ashes cricket. Ponting emphasised that such complacency “doesn’t happen against Australia” and that failing to bring intensity at crucial stages cost England dearly. His remarks underline his belief that Archer not only underperformed but also fell short of the standards expected in an Ashes contest, leaving both himself and his team disappointed.
