Watch: Tensions flare at Gabba as Steve Smith, Jofra Archer caught in fiery verbal fight after England speedster hit for monster hook six

A heated exchange erupted between Australia's captain, Steve Smith, and England fast bowler, Jofra Archer, during the final moments of the second Ashes Test on Sunday, December 7.

Tensions rise between Smith and Archer

The confrontation began in the ninth over of Australia's brief second innings chase, immediately after Smith dispatched a boundary through the leg side off Archer's bowling.

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Archer’s aggressive response

Smith's pull shot, executed with noticeable flair, visibly irritated Archer, who retaliated instantly with an aggressive bouncer delivered at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. When Smith missed the attempted uppercut, Archer quickly approached the batter and unleashed a torrent of verbal abuse. This physical and verbal challenge set the stage for Smith's decisive counterattack.

Smith's dominant counter and final words

Unfazed by the aggression, Smith responded by scoring 10 runs off Archer's next two deliveries, including a powerful six, despite the balls being hurled close to an astonishing 155 kmph. Following the six, a confident Smith engaged Archer in a final verbal exchange, a move fans quickly dubbed a 'chad move' on social media. Smith’s parting shot highlighted his mastery of the high-pressure situation, as he told the fast bowler, "You bowl fast when there's nothing going on, champ."

Australia bulldoze England by 8 wickets

Australia wasted no time in finishing the match on Sunday, chasing down the target of 65 runs at the Gabba with urgency. The eight-wicket victory was sealed in the following over when captain Steve Smith hit Gus Atkinson for a six through the leg side. The chase was started strongly by Travis Head, who hammered two boundaries and a six before being dismissed by Atkinson for 22 off 22 balls. After Marnus Labuschagne’s brief stay (3 off 6 balls), Smith took charge, finishing the innings unbeaten on 23 runs from just 9 balls, supported by opener Jake Weatherald, who remained not out at 17 off 23 balls. This win secured a commanding 2-0 lead for Australia in the Ashes series before the third Test.

The fierce on-field confrontation between Steve Smith and Jofra Archer instantly reminded fans of their intense and memorable duels during the 2019 Ashes series, which produced one of the most high-stakes matchups in recent cricket history. In that series, the contest pitted Archer, England's raw pace sensation known for his fearsome short-pitched deliveries and aggressive style, against Smith, who was returning from suspension and carrying the heavy burden of Australian expectations.

Throughout the 2019 series, the battle between the two players transcended mere skill; it became a deep psychological contest. Archer relentlessly tested Smith’s technique and temperament with intimidating pace and bouncers, often engaging in subtle verbal sparring to unsettle him. However, Smith showed remarkable composure and mastery of the crease, refusing to be rattled by the fiery pace attack and countering whenever possible. This duel reached its peak during the second and third Tests, with both fans and pundits hailing the fast-bowler-versus-batsman showdown as a classic cricketing rivalry. Ultimately, the 2019 Ashes proved to be a career-best outing for Smith in Test cricket, where he accumulated an astonishing 774 runs in just four matches.