England will aim for an equalizer when they host the Australian team without Steve Smith in the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds, starting on Thursday (August 22).
Australia rode on Steve Smith’s successive centuries to win the first Test by 251 runs. However, in the second Test, England speedster Jofra Archer hit the former Australian skipper on his neck with a nasty bouncer as the match ended in a draw.
With Smith ruled out of the third Ashes Test due to a delayed concussion, England has the best chance to snap Australia’s 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Ahead of the start of the Headingley Test, the 24-year-old Archer was seen practicing some big shots in the nets. He also imitated Smith’s unorthodox style of leaving the balls during the practice session.
Here’s the video:
Is that Jofra Archer or Steve Smith in the nets at Headingley? #Ashes @alintaenergy pic.twitter.com/RT5ADoSUjr
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 22, 2019
The presence of Archer and the absence of Smith is a vital subplot of the third Test but the reality is that Australia needs just one more win from three matches.