After an arduous journey of over three years, marked by multiple surgeries and injuries, Jofra Archer made a triumphant return to Test cricket, securing England's dramatic victory over India in their third Test match.
In a post-match interview, Archer, now 30, expressed his satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging that he had exceeded expectations by bowling more overs than he had anticipated. The fast bowler, who had been away from cricket's biggest stage for 1,597 days, played a crucial role in England's win.
When asked about his return, England captain Ben Stokes praised Archer's performance, stating, "The crowd lifts, the atmosphere changes, the batters feel it when he comes on. To back up spells like he has done is going to do him the world of good."
Archer's first over of the match effectively put to rest any doubts about his skill for red-ball cricket, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with his third delivery. Stokes turned to Archer repeatedly throughout the match, and he responded admirably, ripping out Rishabh Pant's off stump on day five, just two balls after Pant had advanced to hit him for four down the ground.
The question on everyone's mind was whether Archer's body could handle the rigors of Test cricket. His three wickets in the fourth innings, coupled with his status as England's most threatening bowler, suggest that this was a highly encouraging return.
Archer's pace held up throughout the match, averaging 87mph on day three, 87.8mph on day four, and 87.4mph on day five. He even topped 90mph with 10 deliveries on the final day.
It's worth noting that Mohammed Siraj's dismissal by Shoaib Bashir, which sealed England's win in the final session, came on the second ball India's number 11 faced after being hit on the arm by a brutal Archer bouncer.
Looking deeper, the statistics suggest that Archer became more threatening as the match progressed. The false shot percentage off his bowling climbed from 10% on day two to 19% on day five, another promising sign.
England must now decide whether Archer can play in the fourth Test after an eight-day break or be saved for the fifth at The Oval. No decision has been made yet, but England's options are growing. Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook expressed his optimism, stating, "He will settle down and be part of that bowling squad England need. When you have bowlers of that pace, the impact for a captain, not only on the game but the crowd, is so important."
Archer's comeback is certainly a welcome sight for English cricket fans. Long may this continue.
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