'Pretty poor': Aussie legend's fury over Jofra Archer controversy

Mitchell Johnson has reacted angrily to criticism of Jofra Archer’s actions after felling Steve Smith with a bouncer.

Australian fans were seething on Saturday when Archer was captured on TV smiling with Jos Buttler as Smith was lying stricken on the ground after being struck on the neck.

Archer also initially turned his back and walked away from Smith after seeing him collapse to the ground, rather than checking on his welfare.

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Social media absolutely exploded with condemnation of Archer, but Johnson says the criticism is ‘poor’.

"Some of the criticism of Archer and the way both he and some of his England teammates reacted is so far wide of the mark I can hardly believe it," the former Test star wrote in a column for British publication iNews.

"How do we know what went through his mind at that moment? We don't. For me, I just don't think he knew how to react at that moment.

“To judge him without knowing the facts and on limited evidence is pretty poor.

"When you're confronted with someone with the class and control of Smith, sometimes trying to make him feel uncomfortable is the best way to get him out.

“It's a tactic, and to accuse someone of not caring about hurting an opponent is low."

Aussie great Ian Healy also defended Archer, while the man himself said he didn’t know how to react.

"To see him go down, everyone stopped and everyone's heart skipped a beat," Archer told the BBC.

"After he got up and he was moving around, you breathe a sigh of relief."

He also told Sky Sports: "Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking at the time.

"Seeing someone go down, you don't ever want to see anyone getting carried off in a stretcher or you don't want to see anyone missing a day or another game.

"Especially what happened a few years ago as well. It's never a nice sight."

Smith ruled out of third Test

Smith hopes to return from concussion in next week's low-key tour game against Derbyshire, having run out of time in his bid to be fit for the third Ashes Test.

Smith has been ordered to skip the Test that starts on Thursday in a major blow to Australia's hopes of retaining the urn with a victory in Leeds.

The former skipper, who was restricted to walking and shadow batting at Tuesday's session, will be regularly assessed in the coming days as he recovers from the blow.

Team doctor Richard Saw has complete control over when Smith is allowed to start stepping things up.

The fourth Test at Old Trafford starts in a fortnight.

But rather than face another Jofra Archer bouncer barrage in his competitive return, Smith is aiming to be ready for a three-day clash in Derby that starts on Thursday week.

"He was probably only a few days off playing in this Test match," coach Justin Langer said.

"It'd be great for him, rather than just doing it in the nets or having throwdowns, to play that practice game. It could work out really well.

"We know what he's like, so look out the Derbyshire bowlers.

"I'm sure if he passes what he has to go through he'll be right to play that game."

with AAP