England’s Jofra Archer made a phenomenal comeback in the third one-day match against South Africa, taking a game-changing 6 wickets for just 40 runs in his second appearance after 17 months of injury.
Archer’s dominant performance included a first spell that saw him dismiss Rassie van der Dussen, and two more crucial wickets in consecutive overs later in the match. The paceman’s efforts, along with superb centuries from Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler, helped England defend a total of 347 runs, securing a 59-run victory against the Proteas.
South Africa had a promising start with the batting of Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram, but Archer’s relentless pace and accuracy unsettled the batsmen. Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 80 runs off 62 balls, threatened to turn the game around for South Africa, but Archer’s sharp delivery put an end to his batting blitz.
The paceman clinched his first five-wicket haul by dismissing Wayne Parnell and ended the match by taking out Tabraiz Shamsi, leading to South Africa’s all-out score of 287 in 43.1 overs.
The victory not only put an end to England’s five-match losing streak but also marked Archer’s return to form as a major player for his country. With the upcoming Ashes series against Australia and the defense of the 50-over World Cup, Archer’s comeback could not have come at a better time. His high pace and intimidating delivery, combined with his impressive wicket-taking ability, make him a valuable asset to the England team.
Archer’s background is unique in the world of cricket. Born in Barbados, he holds dual citizenship with England due to his father’s origin in Barbados and his mother’s in England. He ultimately chose to represent England and has been an instrumental player for the team since his debut in 2019.
Archer’s international debut season was nothing short of remarkable, as he quickly established himself as one of the top pacers in the game. His ability to bowl at high speeds and generate bounce and swing made him a nightmare for batsmen all over the world.
Leon Osamor
