Archer delighted to bag six on ‘annoying’ day in Leeds
Jofra Archer was over the moon to collect his first five-wicket haul in international cricket on an “annoying” day marked by frequent interruptions for rain and bad light.
Archer took the first wicket of the day, dismissing Australia opener Marcus Harris just before the first rain delay of the day, and returned to take five more as Australia collapsed from 136/2 to 179 all out. Archer’s 6/45 were the best England Ashes bowling figures at Headingley since Bob Willis’ 8/43 in the famous 1981 game.
“We’ve been in the field all day, it was stop-start all day, which is really annoying,” he told BBC’s Test Match Special.
“You start to bowl well and then you have to go off and start again. I’m over the moon to get six wickets but equally happy just to get off.
“The ball just started swinging randomly from the over before the Warner wicket. It got a bit more overcast and then from then on the ball was really good.
“We thought it was going to be a repeat of Lord’s and losing the first day. But we got a large portion of the bad weather out of the way today.”
Even after his impressive effort in finishing off Australia, Archer admitted he could still have been better.
“I didn’t do too much differently from Lord’s, the slope there just makes the balls a lot harder to play,” he added.
“It was a bit bowler-friendly today, at times it did go flat and the ball stopped swinging but it started again.
“There were a few threes and no sweepers, I’ll more than take six for 45 but I can be tidier in the future.
“It’s been really good so far, from the moment I’ve put the badge on, it’s been the happiest day of cricket so far and hopefully plenty more ahead.
“They’ve got some good bowlers as well so we’ve got to bat really well tomorrow.”
Latest
-
News
It’s a lot of fun – Heather Knight still enjoying captaining England
Knight succeeded Charlotte Edwards, who had a decade-long stint in the position, in June 2016.
-
England
On this day in 2018: Kevin Pietersen retires from professional cricket
The latter years of the Pietermaritzburg-born maverick’s career were spent on the T20 circuit.
-
England
Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India
The 28-year-old took two for 22 in seven overs.
-
County Cricket
Darren Gough steps down as managing director of cricket at Yorkshire
Gough said it was the “right time” to move on having been in the post since December 2021.
-
England
On this day in 2004: Steve Harmison takes seven for 12 against West Indies
The pace bowler produced a devastating spell at Sabina Park 20 years ago.
-
England
Jos Buttler feels refreshed and ready to enjoy ‘best years’ of his career
England’s white-ball team endured a poor 2023 which culminated in the disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in India.
-
England
Jos Buttler confident ‘special cricketer’ Jofra Archer will be fit for World Cup
Archer has not represented his country since last March when he featured in a T20 match in Bangladesh.
-
Indian Premier League
England batter Harry Brook withdraws from IPL following death of his grandmother
Brook pulled out of England’s five-Test tour to India before the squad flew out from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates.