Ian Healy defends Jofra Archer's reaction to Steve Smith retirement

Australian cricket great Ian Healy has thrown his support behind English paceman Jofra Archer, after the Test debutant was heavily criticised for his reaction to a bouncer that felled Steve Smith.

The former Australian captain retired hurt on 80 after being hit on the neck by a climbing Archer delivery.

Smith later returned, having cleared the concussion protocols and being allowed to return to the crease by team doctors.

He was later dismissed for 92 runs.

Archer copped flak for appearing to laugh as Smith lay on the ground, but Healy was having none of it - pointing out that the pair had been teammates in the IPL and saying his reaction was “misunderstood”.

“They’re IPL teammates, Steve Smith and Jofra Archer, there’s a tremendous mateship between the two of them,” he said on Wide World of Sports.

“He was caught on camera talking with Jos Buttler who was trying to settle him down.

“It was unfortunate.”

Lord’s fans slammed after Smith jeers

Healy slammed the "disgusting" behaviour of a small group of fans who booed Smith after he was hit on the neck.

There was a standing ovation when Smith walked off the ground, most members of the crowd also stood and applauded when he resumed his knock.

But some of England's supporters opted to boo the batsman, who has copped plenty of abuse and jeers during both the World Cup and Ashes in his comeback tour from a year-long suspension, at both junctures.

Healy, who is hosting Nine Network's coverage of the showpiece series, was shocked.

"It was disgusting," Healy said.

"Lord's won't be happy with that either. They don't like any 'yobbo' element of crowd behaviour."

WITH AAP