‘He starts chirping’: Ricky Ponting mocks Jofra Archer’s late fire in heated showdown with Steve Smith

NEW DELHI: Australian great and former captain Ricky Ponting has stepped into the discussion around the fiery exchange between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith during the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

The tense face-off between the two players sparked heavy reactions across social media, adding an extra layer of drama to an already one-sided contest.

Also READ: Steve Smith turns humorous while dodging Jofra Archer spat question

Speaking on Channel 7, Ponting did not hold back when assessing Archer’s sudden burst of aggression late in the game. With England well behind and the match almost decided, Ponting questioned the timing and relevance of Archer’s outburst.

“I like it, I like it,” Ponting said in a sarcastic tone.

“Jofra’s finally come to life, six days into the series, when the second Test is gone, he starts chirping. Too late for that, champ,” he added.

Ponting suggested that England’s spearhead found his voice only after the pressure had faded, hinting that the fiery spell came at a moment when it no longer mattered.

“That’s what Smithy said to him as well: ‘Bowling quick now, mate, when the game is over — good on ya’,” Ponting said.

The exchange became one of the biggest talking points of the Test, with fans dissecting the confrontation frame by frame.

The flashpoint unfolded late on day four when Australia were cruising towards a comfortable win in the pink-ball Test. Archer banged the ball in short at Smith, and the pair traded words in a heated moment in the middle.

Smith responded in emphatic style, sending Archer to the boundary with a four and then a six. With England collapsing and the match slipping away rapidly, Archer’s frustration was evident as emotions boiled over in an otherwise dominant Australian display.