Australia crumble as England’s Jofra Archer shines at Headingley

England's Jofra Archer celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Nathan Lyon.

A MATCH shoved into the middle of ‘Steve Smith’s Ashes Series’ got under way at Emerald Headingley yesterday otherwise known as the third Test between England and Australia.

The fact that Smith is not playing means that it is not really a continuation of ‘Steve Smith Ashes Series’ – more of a stand-alone fixture, you might say, before the great man returns for the fourth Test at Old Trafford on September 4.

Smith’s absence through injury after being hit by a bouncer from Jofra Archer during the Lord’s Test has deprived this contest of its central character.

Consequently, it feels a bit like watching a U2 concert without Bono, or a screening of 101 Dalmatians without Cruella De Vil; an essential piece of the production is missing. In the absence of Smith, the Australian batsman who has produced successive innings of 144, 142 and 92, England have a clear chance to level the series after defeat in the opening Test at Edgbaston.

England's Jofra Archer (second right) celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Matthew Wade.

To that effect, they need as much play as possible to force a result, but rain and bad light permitted only 52.1 overs as Headingley’s first Ashes Test for 10 years got off to a stuttering start.

However, during that time, the match moved on apace as Australia were bowled out for 179 after being sent into bat, Marnus Labuschagne – Smith’s replacement – top-scoring with 74 and David Warner contributing 61, the pair adding 111 for the third-wicket in 23 overs.

For England, Archer captured 6-45, his maiden Test five-fer, which rescued an otherwise curate’s egg display from the home side.