Jofra Archer showed the world just how good he is with a devastating display against South Africa. His brilliance carried his team to a brilliant triumph. That clash certainly set the idyllic backdrop of Cape Town ablaze last Tuesday under the iconic Table Mountain. Archer’s ability to get into the opposition’s defensive structure and cause chaos was almost terrifying. He capped the day with a wonderful bowling figure of 4-5 in five overs and he bowled very well and deserved better against a weak batting lineup.
Right from the start, Archer took complete advantage of the conditions, showing stunning control over tight lines and lengths. He took his first one on his very next ball, deflecting the shoulder of Tristan Stubbs’ bat. Will Jacks subsequently pulled off a remarkable one-handed return catch. This caught-behind wicket was the snipe that turned the tide of the innings. Once again, Archer was not done as he continued to test the frail South African batting order.
Archer’s accuracy was remarkable during the Test — not a ball of his 102 in-play deliveries went down the leg side. He often missed six balls in the brutal upper half of the body. This strategy was an effective way to prevent batters from getting comfortable. He bowled bouncers with consummate cruelty. One delivery even shot up and barely grazed the top of Breetzke’s bat as he anticipated it and ducked from its path.
Such was the zeal of Archer’s hunt for wickets that he caught the eye of some on-field officials. He took his revenge on Stubbs by serving up a ball that ricocheted off kanyang chest. Next, he went after new batter Dewald Brevis, digging in another bouncer. This delivery slammed past the outside edge, leaving Brevis bamboozled and underlining Archer’s superiority on that day.
He had Archer nick one ball into the cordon, but that didn’t result in a catch. He was disciplined and determined as he patrolled the court during the game. His accuracy was astonishingly effective, with some commentators witnessing his bowling prowess widely proclaiming it’s “absolute perfection.” South African batters were clearly rattled by Archer’s relentless accuracy. This world-class bowling display marked him out as England’s key strike bowler ahead of their much-anticipated Ashes series in Australia this winter.
Archer ended the over with a swift, cutting delivery that smacked into the protective arm of new batter Corbin Bosch. By the end of that first episode, it was obvious that Archer was back — and in peak form. His three wicket maidens illustrated his talent for putting batters on the back foot. This skill opened up a ton of high-quality scoring chances for his teammates.
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