Ashes 2019 | Most brutal spell of bowling by an English bowler, Michael Vaughan on Jofra Archer
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Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has lauded tearaway quick Jofra Archer, stating that he has the capability to win matches all over the world for his country. The 24-year-old pacer enjoyed an outstanding Test debut, claiming 5 wickets in total, while also rattling Steve Smith.
After bowling the super over which won his country their maiden World Cup, Jofra Archer entered the Lord's Test with immense pressure on his shoulders, having been handed the task of unsettling Steve Smith. Despite the sample set being a micro-sized one, in his short international career, Archer has showed that he's never shy of taking a challenge on, and at Lord's, he obliged, as he rattled Smith by hitting him first on his arm, then on the neck.Â
The hostile spell of fast bowling lauded praise from many a past cricketing legend, and one such person is Michael Vaughan, who described the spell as the "most brutal spell of bowling he's seen from an English bowler".Â
"I have never seen a spell as brutal as that from an England bowler. Perhaps Harmison and Flintoff bowled similar spells but only once they were established England cricketers. Archer has done it on his Test debut bowling to the best batsman of this generation," Vaughan wrote in his column for smh.com.au.Â
"During that spell to Steve Smith, I looked out at the Nursery Ground where the food vans and big screens are situated and it was practically empty. Everyone wanted to watch something that was very special," he added.
The former English skipper referred to Smith as the "Best Test batsman he has ever seen", while heaping praise on young Archer for his fast bowling repertoire.
"I believe Smith is the best Test batsman I have ever seen and yet this kid on debut completely pushed him right back. He has it all: pace, skill, variations of lines and consistent lengths. There is not a great deal that looks as if it could go wrong. He has a perfect straight leg when he releases the ball which gives him all his power," the former English skipper said.
He also highlighted Archer's spell against Smith as the reason why Test cricket trumps both ODIs and T20s due to its sheer flamboyance and skill, as Australia had to dig really deep to get out of harm's day at Lord's.Â
"Archer's spell to Smith proved to me that Test cricket is the best form of the game. I love white-ball cricket, with all its flamboyance and skill, but you do not get spells like that in Twenty20 and one-day cricket.
"The Australians had to show courage, patience and discipline. It is why Test cricket is the ultimate format because it tests every facet of your game." he said.Â
