Steve Smith ‘champs’ Jofra Archer in heated end to second Ashes Test at Gabba

It took just nine words from Steve Smith to rip an English bowler to shreds, and Australians can’t get enough of it.

“You bowl fast when there’s nothing going on, champion.”

As if England’s second shellacking in two Ashes Tests against Australia wasn’t bad enough, stand-in skipper Steve Smith’s spicy sledge of paceman Jofra Archer only rubbed salt into the wounds.

As the Gabba showdown was heading towards an obvious home win, touring quick Archer unleashed a war of words on batting great Smith. It didn’t end well for Archer.

The fast bowler clocked speeds of 150km/h during Australia’s 65-run chase on day four, reportedly telling Smith he only “likes to play shots when there’s not much on the scoreboard”.

"You bowl faster when there's nothing going on, champion,” Steve Smith to Jofra Archer after being sledged by the English quick.

Elite.

Truth.

— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) December 7, 2025

Smith, 36, hit back.

“You bowl fast when there’s nothing going on, champion”,” he was heard saying on stump mics.

Archer then bowled another bouncer. Four.

More words. Another bouncer. Six.

“Emotion enters the series, and that’s England’s best chance, make it emotional,” Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe said in commentary.

“ … That’s the first grader to a sixth-grader, ease up, champion,” he said in a hint at Smith’s standing in the game.

Later former England skipper Michael Vaughan questioned “great theatre but I will be honest, I want to see Jofra bowling like this in the first innings in Adelaide.”

Smith played down the encounter after the victory.

So Smith tells Archer: "Bowling fast when there's nothing on it."
He's right, too.

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) December 7, 2025

“That stays on the field, it was good banter. He’s a good competitor, he comes hard at you so it was good fun,” he said.

Archer famously struck Smith in the neck during the 2019 Ashes in a battle that defined the series.

However it must be noted the quick has never dismissed Smith in a Test match.

Smith’s sledge also added to some of the epic Ashes moments at the Gabba through the years.

Jofra Archer and Steve Smith exchange words during day four. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Originally published as Steve Smith ‘champs’ Jofra Archer in heated end to second Ashes Test at Gabba