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'Made me laugh': Jofra Archer takes shot at Australia's 'terrible' sledging

Australian Associated Press

England have revealed some of Australia's "terrible" sledging in the third Test, also accusing them of panic and complacency as the Ashes mind games heat up after a cordial start to the series.

Jofra Archer has attempted to turn up the heat on the tourists, still reeling from Ben Stokes' remarkable series-levelling knock at Headingley, while Joe Denly has also highlighted some of the barbs he copped as England completed their highest chase in Test history.

Archer claims he was chirped after being dismissed during the dramatic final session in Leeds, having batted aggressively and picked out Travis Head on the rope while searching for a third boundary in the over delivered by Nathan Lyon.

Jofra Archer laughing on the pitch after bowling.
Jofra Archer said the Australian's sledging made him laugh. (Getty Images)

"It was terrible chat. Nothing to worry about. It made me laugh," Archer said.

"It was either Tim Paine or Matthew Wade but someone said 'that is a great shot Jof'.

"You should never get complacent ... the crowd started getting on their backs and I think they panicked a bit."

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Paine, who needled Stokes during the early stages of the incredible innings, and Wade are both teammates of Archer at Big Bash League franchise Hobart Hurricanes.

Paine's side have worked hard to shed the ugly Australians tag since the Cape Town cheating scandal but, as the wicketkeeper showed during his running battle with Rishabh Pant during the previous home summer, there is still scope for verbals.

Jofra Archer and Steve Smith during an epic tussle at Lord's. (Getty Images)
Jofra Archer and Steve Smith during an epic tussle at Lord's. (Getty Images)

"If I play Uno with my daughter there's lots of banter. We sort of sledge each other but we don't abuse each other," coach Justin Langer said last year.

Denly shared a 126-run partnership with Joe Root during England's second innings, with the under-pressure batsman's knock of 50 ensuring he would remain in the XI.

"When you first go out there, the Aussies are always in your face talking to you. Trying to get you to nibble," Denly told KentOnline.

"They were calmly explaining to me that Joe Root would want to bat at No.4 in the next game because he hasn't done too well at three.

"That I'm only playing because Joe has to try to fit me in the batting order somewhere.

"If they don't get you out in the first two or three overs they go a bit quiet. They were certainly getting a bit nervous as the partnership developed."