Jofra Archer’s star continues to rise after he picked up his second six-wicket haul in just his fourth Test to have England in a commanding position at stumps on Day 2.
But while the 24-year-old ripped through the Australian batting order at the Oval, he once again couldn’t break through Steve Smith’s defence.
Despite some observers suggesting Archer was the key to England finally getting a hold of Smith after flooring him in the second Test at Lord’s, across four innings the speedster hasn’t been able to jag the most prized of the Australian wickets.
In this instance, it was Chris Woakes who would trap Smith in front of the stumps for 80 as Australia were bundled out for 225 and conceded a 69-run first innings lead to England.
Archer, speaking after the day’s play, couldn’t hide his frustration with Smith’s run of form – and that was before he found out the former Test captain had been battling the flu throughout his innings.