Australia captain Steve Smith and England fast bowler Jofra Archer were involved in a heated exchange during the final moments of the second Ashes Test on Sunday, December 7. In the ninth over of Australia’s second innings, tensions flared after Smith hit a boundary through the leg side off Archer.

Smith’s pull shot, struck with noticeable flair, appeared to irritate Archer, who responded immediately with a bouncer bowled upwards of 150 kmph. When Smith missed the uppercut, Archer moved close and hurled verbal abuse at the batter.

Smith, unfazed, retaliated by scoring 10 runs off Archer in the next two balls, including a six, against balls that were hurled close to 155 kmph. Afterward, Smith exchanged words with Archer in a display of confidence, a move fans colloquially referred to as a

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