Jofra Archer says England’s four-man pace attack might keep him playing until 40
Jofra Archer claimed he might play “until I’m 40” thanks to England’s rampant four-man pace attack.
This month’s Test series against Pakistan marks the first time Archer has lined up alongside Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson and the results have been outstanding so far.
The tourists were bundled out for 171 and 135 in an innings defeat at Headingley last week and were found wanting again on day two at Lord’s, shot down for 110 as England piled up a 261-run lead.
Archer bowled with even greater threat and hostility than figures of three for 26 suggest, while Robinson set his stall out with four for 11 across 13 spotless.
Pakistan have yet to last 50 overs in an innings, leaving the home seamers fresh, firing and focusing on a long-term partnership.
“It’s really nice having the extra seamers in the line-up. I could play until I’m 40 at this rate,” beamed the 31-year-old, whose injury issues once looked likely to stop curtail his Test career.
“Each day it will be someone else’s turn. Everyone was relentless, everyone wants wickets and it feels like no-one is ever going to be overworked because everyone shares the overs out.
“If someone is feeling tired you can just tell Rooty (captain Joe Root) and get swapped out. You get fresh, then you come back again.
“You don’t have to do too much because someone is going to back you up until you find your feet again.”
Archer was clocked at 94mph and averaged 90.7mph during a searing opening volley, during which he dismissed Shan Masood and caused no end of trouble to rookie opener Azan Awais.
That was ranked as the quickest new ball spell yet for England, even though he waved away the accolade.
“Nah, the speed gun isn’t working properly,” he said.
“I saw some of them as I went back, it was nice to see but I’ve had times where I’ve felt better and never really had the speeds to show for it.
“I don’t know who is up in the box working it but thanks, I’ll take it.”
Heavy rain has been forecast for Saturday’s play, meaning England may need to be patient as they build on their second-innings 81 for three – a total built around a hard-working 30 not out from Emilio Gay.
Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, meanwhile, was faced with questions on reports that his side came close to boycotting the afternoon session day one.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is understood to have been angered by Sky Sports’ decision to screen an interview between Michael Atherton and the sons of the imprisoned Imran Khan – the country’s former Test captain turned Prime Minister.
Kaisam and Sulaiman Khan questioned the conditions of his detainment and aired concerns over his health and safety, with reports suggesting the PCB at one stage considered preventing the team taking the field after the segment was shown during lunch interval on Thursday.
They ultimately did so without any delay, with Sarfaraz quick to put the matter to bed.
“I don’t know anything about that, we are just focusing on the match,” he said.
“No, no, no, we don’t know anything about an interview.”
