Twitter lashes out at Jofra Archer for smiling after hitting Steve Smith with a bouncer

Jofra Archer has taken some massive strides in international cricket. Bearing in mind his stupendous potential with the ball in hand, he was fast-tracked into the England national team, especially for the 2019 World Cup. He was thereafter picked to play in the Ashes and albeit he had to warm the benches in the opening Test, he made his debut at the Lord’s, replacing James Anderson.

He pinned Rory Burns to get his maiden Test wicket. But it was his bouncer to Steve Smith on the fourth day that grabbed all the limelight. In the 77th over of the Australian innings, the Sydney-born Smith was seeing the ball like a football, having notched 80 runs and was looking good for his third successive ton in the series. However, after the blow, the batter had to walk off the park.

Jofra Archer bowls a deadly bouncer

Archer ran in and dug in a bumper, which clocked 92.4 mph. Smith was caught off-guard and he tried to move away from the line of the ball, but couldn’t. He was hit just around the neck-jaw area and immediately, he went down in pain. The physios rushed on to the park to check on his well-being. From the balcony, Justin Langer, the head coach of the Australian team, looked a lot worried.

After treatment, he walked off gingerly to a round of applause from the audience present at the Home of Cricket. Inside, he was treated by the doctors and he underwent a concussion test. To the surprise of many, he came to bat again. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get to his century as he was trapped in front by Chris Woakes. Smith offered no shot and had to go back after scoring 92.

In the meantime, the netizens are angry with Archer. Even as Smith was wincing in pain on the ground, Archer along with Jos Buttler was seen laughing. While a number of them were beside Smith, Jofra was seen in a chilling mood, something which didn’t go down well with the supporters, who questioned his sportsman spirit. A few of them reminded them of what happened to Phillip Hughes.

Here is how Twitter bashed Archer:

Karma will get Jofra Archer, laughing after a nasty blow on Steve Smith’s neck, not even checking on him…bad sportsmanship….. https://t.co/6xRu7AZuDc

— justanotherday (@junehartman46) August 17, 2019

Disrespectful @JofraArcher behaviour. Hope you breakdown and have others laughing at you. #flog

— Meredith Angwin (@Angwin_MJ) August 17, 2019

Bollocks. Ignoring and laughing at an injured opponent is cowardly. And then the crowd boos Smith in return to the crease.

— Mark Nicholas (@Nickoperth) August 17, 2019

Jofra Archer was laughing with his team mates while Smith was being treated.
Yes the English are true gentlemen and play in the spirit of the game.

— SANDESH KUIKEL (@Erkuiksand1) August 17, 2019

OK, I’m going to give @JofraArcher the benefit of the doubt; maybe he was laughing about something else when he felled #SteveSmith. Not happy with Eng fans who continue to boo Smith even after his heroics. Move on! #Ashes19

— Geoffrey Denman (@geoffdenman) August 17, 2019

Has nothing to do with dishing it out. When a person is on the ground hurt a little bit of respect “should” be shown. Archer on debut lacked that.

— The Burger (@TheBurger57) August 17, 2019

Archer was poor. Smith down and he just walked back to his crease

— Eujin ooi (@ooi_eujin) August 17, 2019

See this archer and Butler are laughing seeing steve smith in pain
Shame on u boys @englandcricket
Shame u @root66
Shame u @UKHouseofLords #StevenSmith pic.twitter.com/bfGHEEXT7e

— Muntaha Khan (@Muntaha86858569) August 17, 2019

Sorry mate i was talking precisely of Jofra Archer's insensitive attitude.Appreciate the concerns shown by Jos. I have always been fan of Jos. But i cannot like this bbc pet Jofra Archer. Sick of his all day praising n arse licking by bbc

— LastMonk (@HumansMstBCrazy) August 17, 2019

Don’t be a condescending prick. Not saying that’s any better, but at the end of the day players should be good people before good players and this is not what Archer was. If the shoe was on the other foot I’m sure you’d have no issue in ripping our boys to shreds. Perspective.

— steff fekete (@stefffekete) August 17, 2019

I dnt think the bouncer was the problem but the smiling and laughter by Archer after wasn't necessary

— thembani sibandacom (@thembanisibanda) August 17, 2019