Jofra Archer: "You don't ever want to see someone getting carried off on a stretcher"

Steve Smith was unbeaten on 80 when he was hit by a bouncer from Archer, with the pair having been at the centre of an epic battle for much of the afternoon

“It’s never a nice thing,” Jofra Archer admitted as he reflected on the moment on Saturday that saw Steve Smith struck on the back of the neck by England’s Test debutant.

The Australian linchpin was unbeaten on 80 when he was hit by a bouncer from Archer, with the pair having been at the centre of an epic battle for much of the afternoon.

Archer clocked a top speed of 96.1mph during the fourth day of the Test at Lord’s, with England setting an aggressive field as they sought a way of dismissing the indomitable Smith against the pace of the Barbados-born fast bowler.

“We were trying to get him out really,” Archer said, speaking to Sky Sports before the start of play on the final day of the Test. “We had a short-leg, we had a leg-slip. He’s good at working the ball off his hips.”

He initially hit Smith on the arm with a brutish short delivery that immediately caused a swelling on the arm of the batsman. It was later confirmed that the Australian had not suffered any break or fracture as a result of the blow.

However, just moments later, another sharp bouncer saw Smith unable to sway out of the way, sending the former Australia captain onto the turf, provoking worried reactions around Lord’s.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking at the time,” Archer recalled. “Seeing someone go down – you don’t ever want to see someone getting carried off on a stretcher.

“And you don’t want to see anyone missing a day or missing another game, especially after what happened a few years ago as well. It’s never a nice thing.”

Speaking to Test Match Special, Archer added: "To see him go down, everyone stopped and everyone's heart skipped a beat.

"After he got up he was moving around and you breathe a sigh of relief."

Australia coach Justin Langer said at the close of play that the blow had brought back memories of the tragic death of Phil Hughes.

Hughes died in November 2014 after being hit by a ball when batting in a domestic match in Australia.

“There's obviously some rough memories of a blow like that, there's no fun in it,” Langer said.

Chris Woakes added: "You get a feel from the noise more than anything - you could hear it was fleshy, around the neck, and when that's the case you worry as a player.

"Guys close in to the action, Jos was at short-leg, he knew straight away and went to check. That was nice to see and check he was okay.

"It was a serious spell, serious pace. Incredible to watch and thankfully having seen Steve on the balcony, he seems okay."

To celebrate England winning the World Cup you can subscribe to The Cricketer for just £20.19. Click here to learn more