Steve Smith on the receiving end of some sickening and disgraceful treatment at the Ashes

The sight of Jofra Archer smirking as Steve Smith lay struggling on the ground was as sickening as the actual delivery. That and the crowds brought a day of shame for English cricket.

Art work for the Steve Smith column

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It will be remembered as one of the most courageous acts in Australia’s sporting history.

Yet at the same time it delivered the most disgraceful sportsmanship, on and off the field, in Ashes cricket since Bodyline.

The sight of English fast bowler debutant Jofra Archer smirking as Steve Smith lay struggling on the ground after being felled by a vicious bouncer was as sickening as the actual delivery.

And the torrent of abuse Smith received from the so-called fans when he courageously walked back out to bat was one of the most putrid displays of mob mentality you could witness.

The Poms couldn’t bowl Smith out so they bounced him with brutal 150km/h balls straight at his head.

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The one that struck him in the neck was chillingly similar to the one that killed Phillip Hughes in 2014.

Yet Archer was spotted laughing with teammate Jos Buttler as Smith received attention.

Some have dismissed it as a nervous smirk from a bowler who was relieved he hadn’t done lasting damage to Smith.

Steve Smith of Australia is struck by a delivery from Jofra Archer

They bag us about ball-tampering but regard this as acceptable behaviour.

This was like a flashback to the 1930s when England employed similar grubby tactics to stop Don Bradman by bowling dangerously short to packed leg-side fields with the aim to wound as much as win.

The spell from Archer on Saturday night was the most hostile in Test cricket for years.

There is no doubt he is going to be a great bowler but the lack of respect in this case was just appalling.

Steve Smith, mind you, is tough enough to play State of Origin football.

He’s got a heart big enough to play rugby against the All Blacks.

Steve Smith of Australia has his arm strapped by Australian Team Physiotherapist David Beakley after being struck in the arm

He’s so brave the medicos almost had to drag him back to the dressing room.

But that’s not the point.

The Ashes is such a great sporting contest because it has always been played hard but fair.

There has been that mutual respect, certainly since Bodyline.

English crowds, especially at Lord’s, have always acknowledged our great Australian cricketers.

Yet sections of the crowd booed when Smith returned to the crease.

It turned into a day of great pride for Australia and the baggy green spirit via Smith’s courage.

And at the same time it was an absolute day of shame for English cricket.

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