Ashes 2019: Jofra Archer ready to resume rivalry with Steve Smith in 4th Test at Old Trafford

England have no issue letting their pace demon Jofra Archer off the leash the moment Steve Smith takes guard at Old Trafford, but, according to captain Joe Root, the Aussie’s air of invincibility has already vanished.

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In the fallout from Australia’s Steve Smith-inspired demolition of England in the opening Test, the joke was that England had tried Plans A, B, C and D and come up with a massive F.

Smith had plundered twin centuries in his comeback Test from a 12-month ban to lead Australia to a dominant 251-run victory at Fortress Edgbaston and England seemed at a loss to come up with a way of stopping him.

In the end they’ve settled on ‘Plan Jofra’, and England are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to reignite their pace sensation’s simmering rivalry with the world’s No. 1 Test batsman when the vital fourth Test gets underway at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

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Australia's Steve Smith lays on the pitch after being hit in the head by a ball off the bowling of England's Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer remains England’s purest x-factor and the man who can strike fear into the Australian batting line-up, and the hosts declared the fearsome quick is champing at the bit to get another opportunity to again rattle Smith’s cage the moment Australia’s top three cracks.

“I’m sure when Steve comes in Jofra will be in (captain Joe Root’s) ear wanting the ball, no doubt about that,” pace leader Stuart Broad said.

Root on Monday described the brewing individual battle between Smith and Archer as the type of exciting matchup that will have “everyone in the ground or watching on TV will be glued to that scenario”.

Jofra Archer has been a star of the series so far

Smith was levelled during a ferocious spell of fast bowling at Lord’s from Archer, who struck the former skipper first on the arm and later on the side of the neck in an ugly blow which forced Smith from the field and left him with a concussion which would rule him out of the third Test defeat.

The Australian camp expects Smith will again be tested by the short-ball, while Root said his team was more confident in their approach to getting him out than they had been prior to the first Test in Birmingham.

“We go into every game feeling very well prepared in terms of plans in place and all those plans are there to try and get players out,” Root said.

Steve Smith is set to return for the fourth Test at Old Trafford

“It felt like when we went to that with Jof at Lord’s, on that surface, it looked like — in terms of taking wickets — a very threatening option.”

The Australian this week challenged Archer by declaring the Barbados-born powerhouse didn’t dismiss him at Lord’s — an honour which went to Chris Woakes, who trapped Smith lbw for 92.

It’s a barb Broad feels could stoke the flames of Test cricket’s newest box office showdown.

“Jofra is a fantastic bowler — but he’s an even better bowler when he gets challenged,” Broad added.

Root predicted Smith would make adjustments to nullify Archer’s effectiveness, but had confidence in England’s attack as unit shut down the prolific runscorer.

One thing is for sure, however: In the England camp, Smith’s air of invincibility has vanished.

“It might be that Jack Leach comes into the game against him, it might be that Stuart (Broad) gets him right on the money or Chris Woakes, whoever it is that plays,” Root added.

“He might make a bad judgment call. He’s human, just like everyone else.”

From Australia’s perspective, there will be no mental scars for Smith when he arrives at the crease — whether England continues to attack with short balls or not.

Langer, who in his 105 Test matches as a fearless opener was no stranger to being hit on the body, admitted there would ordinarily be a lingering concern in the back of your mind.

But he’s never met anyone better prepared to silence that doubting voice than Smith.

“When you get hit, it’s always a little voice on your shoulder,” Langer said.

“You’ve got to have a good strategy and he works the game out better than anyone I’ve ever met in my life.

“He would’ve thought long and hard about it. If anyone’s going to get over any little demons it’ll be Stephen.”

Originally published as Ashes 2019: Jofra Archer ready to resume rivalry with Steve Smith in 4th Test at Old Trafford