Ashes 2019 | There will be days when Jofra Archer will blow teams away, says Stuart Broad

Ashes 2019 | There will be days when Jofra Archer will blow teams away, says Stuart Broad

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Stuart Broad has reckoned that Test debutant Jofra Archer has all the attributes to blow away entire batting lineups on his day. On a day which saw only 24.1 overs worth of cricket, it was Archer’s consistent, yet hostile, bowling that helped England sneak an inch on their longest-standing rivals.

Following his heroics at the World Cup, it was only going to be a matter of time before Archer was handed a Test debut. On a misbehaving day three Lord’s pitch, and a Dukes ball in hand, Archer delivered a fiery spell that had the Aussie batsmen either struggling to find the middle or ducking for cover.

Archer's first wicket was – reminiscent of many of his previous 131 first-class wickets – a ball cutting into the right-handed Cameron Bancroft off the pitch and threatening his stumps. Umpire Aleem Dar showed no hesitation in raising his finger, and a review showed that the balls were clipping the top of middle. 

"I don't think there are any doubts within the group or within the media that he has the attributes to be a Test cricketer. There's going to be times when he's going to blow teams away. What impressed me was his nagging line, the fact that he can bring all dismissals in. He's aggressive with his bouncer," Broad was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.

"This is his first Test match. It's a big learning experience. You sometimes forget he's what, 24? In our minds, because he's been involved in World Cups and been talked about so much in the last six months that we think he's a really experienced, older, knows-it-all cricketer. He's still learning his trade a little bit, although he's doing it with great success," Broad said.

Bancroft’s dismissal triggered a slight collapse, as Usman Khawaja and Travis Head soon followed him back to the dressing room. Chris Woakes had Khawaja caught behind, while Broad trapped Head plumb in front. Perhaps England’s only worry is that Steve Smith battled through to stumps largely unscathed. He withstood 40 deliveries in trying conditions, leaving exactly 20 of them, and that in some style. However, England seemed to have learned from their mistakes at Birmingham, where they indulged his wristy tucks and flicks for far too long. 

"We bowled well at him today. The biggest thing with that was there a little bit of nibble in the pitch. Chris Woakes bowled with three slips and a gully - a regulation field. Ben Stokes bowled a couple of beauties at him outside off stump. With world-class players, you always have to adapt to the conditions that are in front of you and conditions today at Lord's suggested we should bowl six of our best balls and question their outside edge,” Broad added.

With only two days left to play, and Smith showing no signs of being bored of leaving, England may not have the luxury to stick to their plan of bowling outside the off stump.

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