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'Not good': Joe Root and Jofra Archer in 'uncomfortable' clash

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor

Jofra Archer and Joe Root appeared to clash on day two of the fourth Ashes Test, at odds over how to get Steve Smith out.

England endured a nightmare day in the field as Smith amassed an incredible 211 - his third Ashes double century.

As Smith continued to pile on the runs, cracks started to appear in the England camp.

Root gave his charges a massive spray after they dropped their heads following a Jack Leach no-ball that gifted Smith a lifeline in 118.

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As Smith trotted back to the crease, Root called his teammates into a tight huddle and unleashed an old-school captain's rev-up.

The 28-year-old read his side the riot act, urging them not to lose focus and let Smith and Tim Paine build an imposing total.

Another tense moment in the field, which captured the attention of commentator Mark Taylor, came when Root asked Archer to bowl around the wicket.

Jofra Archer and Joe Root, pictured here during the fourth Ashes Test.
Jofra Archer and Joe Root appeared to disagree. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Archer's body language suggested he wasn't on board with the idea and the express paceman, who finished with figures of 0-97, soon returned to bowling over the wicket.

"I'm not sure the relationship between Joe Root and Archer is going well," Taylor said on the Nine Network

"To have that visible questioning (from Archer). That’s not a good thing."

Former England captain Nasser Hussain also noticed.

“Archer doesn’t look overly thrilled being ordered to bowl around the wicket,” Hussain said in commentary.

“I think there’s a battle constantly going on with Archer that Root at times wants to use him as the enforcer.

“Archer doesn’t always feel comfortable with that, he wants to show his skills.”

Steve Smith, pictured here after his double century.
Steve Smith acknowledges the crowd after his double century. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Ponting goes in to bat for Root

Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting said he could understand Root’s thinking.

“I can understand that (desire to bowl length) when the ball is swinging and seaming all over the place but there is not that in this sort of surface,” Ponting said.

“When you have someone like this in your armoury, especially when you have Ben Stokes and four seamers in your side, you have got to use what he has which is out and out pace.”

To cap off what was a terrible day for England, Ben Stokes trudged off the park after suffering a shoulder injury while delivering his 11th over.

Stokes returned to the field soon after but didn't bowl again.

"If it was very, very serious he wouldn't have retaken the field. We know what a character Ben is, how strong he is mentally and physically," Jonny Bairstow said.

with AAP