Jofra Archer to spill the beans on Steve Smith as England prepare to start summer of domination over Australia

JOFRA ARCHER will pass on secrets about Steve Smith as England bid to begin a summer of  domination over Australia.

Fast bowler Archer and all-rounder Ben Stokes had a chance to spy on Smith when they were  team-mates at  Rajasthan Royals in the IPL  earlier this year.

They became good friends — but that will be put to one side when cricket’s oldest enemies collide at Lord’s tomorrow.

England dare not lose after a shock defeat to Sri Lanka  on Friday that makes their passage to the World Cup semi-finals less certain.

A win could lay the foundation for more success ahead of the five-Test Ashes series, which begins on August 1.

Archer, who has 15 wickets in the tournament, said: “Steve is a friend and I’d like to think he considers me the same way. He’s a really good guy.

“Cricket is cricket and I guess it’s time to be friends after. Until the game is over, there will be nothing friendly about it.

“I didn’t bowl much at him in the nets in the IPL. A lot of the guys probably didn’t want to face me or Oshane Thomas.

“When you play with people you pick up things you wouldn’t normally notice playing against them. So hopefully Ben and I can get together and know what to do when Steve’s in.”

Smith scored a century in the  warm-up match against England last month but, significantly, Archer did not bowl.

Archer might have been born and raised in Barbados but he still knows all about the rivalry.

He said: “Just from watching The Ashes, it’s  pretty intense. I’m not sure if it will affect me without having experienced it.

“We’re pretty up for it. The guys weren’t too down about Sri Lanka — we were surprised more than anything.

“If we keep playing our cricket of the last couple of years, we’ll be fine.

“There’s no need to change anything after  one loss.”

Smith and David Warner are sure to get plenty of sandpaper- related mockery and Warner will definitely play, even though wife Candice is about to give birth to their third child.

Aussie coach Justin Langer said: “He won’t miss a match — that’s why Candice is here.

“She’s going to be in  hospital for a time. There will probably be boos again.

“That’s OK, there’s nothing we can do about the crowds or opposition.

“We will just go about our business. Davey’s runs speak for themselves.

“He’s smiling a lot, he’s  hungry. I didn’t know him that well but he is good company. He’s playing well.”