England’s batsmen will now come under the microscope after Jofra Archer stole the headlines on a truncated opening day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
The paceman’s six for 45 were his best figures in his fledgling international career, with the 24-year-old inducing a collapse that saw Australia tumble from 136 for two to 179 all out.
Only 52.1 overs were possible as the weather wrecked the first half of the day but, with David Warner’s dicey 61 and Marnus Labuschagne’s battling 74 the only knocks of any note, that was enough for Archer.
The forecast suggests an improvement in the weather on Friday, where 98 overs are scheduled, as England look to move into the ascendancy.
Tweet of the day
Jofras bowling little medium/fast swingers at the moment. In 2nd gear.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) August 22, 2019
Is speed the be-all and end-all? While Archer got nowhere near the 96.1mph he reached at Lord’s last week – and external factors such as the conditions may have contributed to this – he compensated by bowling impeccable lines and lengths. A more nuanced approach earned him his first international five-wicket haul and proved he is not a one-trick pony.
Quote of the day
Snap shot
Stat attack
Harris endures baptism of fire
‘Marnus is strange, he seems to enjoy getting hit’
Money ball
UNPLAYABLE!
What a ball @StuartBroad8!!
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/yK4bf7wbfc#Ashes pic.twitter.com/VghJURcMQ4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 22, 2019
Travis Head may reflect that circumspection may have been a more appropriate approach to a Broad delivery that pitched on middle and clipped the top of off-stump. However, the end result probably would have been the same had the Australian attempted to defend rather than drive, with the jaffa a worthy inclusion in Broad’s highlight reel.
England get a (slight) taste of their own medicine
11-1-70-0
What’s next
Today: England v Australia, day two of the third Ashes Test
