England fast bowler Stuart Broad is excited to see another showdown between England’s Jofra Archer and Australia’s Steve Smith when the former skipper returns for the fourth Ashes test in Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Smith, who scored 378 runs in three innings, is set to return to the side after missing the third test due to concussion.
“It was a really tasty bit of cricket at Lord’s,” Broad said at a news conference on Monday.
“So, hopefully we can have a battle like that again,” he added.
Smith was hit on the neck by a rising Jofra Archer delivery during the second test at Lord’s but Broad expects he’ll be back in high gear come Wednesday.
“Every time a batsman looks in great rhythm, a period of time out of being in the middle could affect them. But he’s obviously a world-class batsman,” Broad said. “He’ll be very ready for the conditions he will face here at Old Trafford.”
“There’s been a little bit of to and fro between him and Jofra, hasn’t there? So, Jofra will be excited to continue that battle,” said Broad.
England’s one-wicket win at Headingley prevented Australia from retaining the Ashes, and Broad said this was the most closely-contested series he had been a part of.
The fourth test in Manchester starts on Wednesday with the series level at 1-1. The final match at
