Smith on target in Archer Ashes battle

FORMER Australia captain Tim Paine has piled more pressure on Jofra Archer after claiming Steve Smith is winning their personal rivalry “hands down”.

- BY RORY DOLLARD

The pair were involved in a tense exchange on the final day in Brisbane as Smith led his side into a 2-0 lead at the Gabba.

The duo dished out verbals to each other in a passage that saw Archer crank his speeds past 93mph, but Smith had the final word as he hooked the seamer for six and then hit the winning runs off Gus Atkinson.

Archer has now bowled 220 balls at Smith without dismissing him in Test cricket, more than any other bowler he has faced, though that does not take into account a knockout blow the batter sustained at Lord's in 2019.