Jofra Archer Must Not Be Overbowled By England

[Mark-x]

Jofra Archer crashed into the cricketing consciousness in 24-ball bursts. The 24-year-old fast bowler thrilled fans with thrilling T20 performances for the Sussex Sharks, Hobart Hurricanes, Quetta Gladiators and Rajasthan Royals. 

But now he has been claimed by England and he is being turned into a workhorse. For a young man who was notable for his explosive capabilities but also prone to injury issues, this transition is in danger of blunting his brilliance.In the first three days of just the fifth test match of his fledgling career, Archer has bowled more overs than any other of the quick bowlers against New Zealand, but remained wicketless. This is no way to treat a thoroughbred. 

Archer was born in Barbados but his father is English and the young quick bowler held British citizenship. Somewhat controversially, the England and Wales Cricket Board changed its qualification rules from seven years residency to three just in time for Archer to become available for England just in time for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The rest, as they say, is history. Archer was a key component as England finally won a trophy that had eluded them since its introduction in 1975. Archer brought England an X-factor that turned a very good team into champions.

But at the end of the World Cup it was revealed that the young tyro had been playing throughout the World Cup with painkilling injections to cover a side strain. Earlier in his career Archer had been hampered by back injuries. These are the clear warning signs that this talent needs to be nurtured and protected rather than ruthlessly exploited.

In his first four test matches – Ashes test matches at that, following straight after his World Cup heroics – Archer bowled almost a thousand deliveries, a not-inconsiderable work rate. Now he has flown to New Zealand and is already England’s most-bowled seamer in the test series.

Sure, when proceedings are not going to plan, it is tempting for captain Joe Root to throw the ball to the rookie and hope for a bit of magic to break the deadlock. But after a long summer is this the best way to use him? It is hard to maintain that special essence when being expected to do it so often. England are risking blunting Archer with drudgery.

It is a tricky balancing act for new England coach Chris Silverwood given that he also faces criticism when Archer is not used. Silverwood, a man who knows plenty about fast bowling from his own career with Yorkshire and England, was forced to defend the decision to not open with Archer on day three of the first test.

Said Silverwood: 'He's still very young in his Test career. Jofra’s learning about himself and the game of Test cricket, and Joe is learning to captain him as well. From a holistic point of view, we're growing together.’These are encouraging signs that England understand the need to protect this prized asset. But the reality is that Archer is still bowling a lot of overs. 

Test cricket is a long way from T20 and it is already asking a lot of Archer to translate that explosive brilliance – a yorker here, a surprise bouncer there – in the short form to the relentless grind of the biggest cricketing stage. Silverwood and Root need to make sure they get the balance right to allow Archer to thrive.