Joe Root, England’s captain, believes that Jofra Archer‘s addition to the bowling attack has “potentially” changed the course of the Ashes, after another sustained and dramatic display of hostile fast bowling almost inspired England to a remarkable final-day Test victory at Lord’s.
Less than 24 hours after unleashing a shattering bouncer to Steven Smith in Australia’s first innings, Archer almost repeated the dose with his second delivery to Smith’s concussion replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, which struck the newly included batsman flush on the visor at more than 91mph.
And Root, who had been one of the many England batsman in the firing line when Mitchell Johnson ignited the 2013-14 Ashes with his haul of 37 wickets in the 5-0 whitewash, believes that Archer’s pace and fear factor could have a similar effect, especially with the third Test at Headingley set to begin in just four days’ time.
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“He’s come in and made a massive impact,” Root said. “He’s added a different dynamic to our bowling group and given Australia something different to think about.
“It’s pleasing to see someone come in on Test debut, shake up things and live up to the hype – even some of the hype he put on himself. It makes for a very interesting last three games.
“He makes things happen with such a unique action and natural pace, which is always in the game on any surface. That with the skill of the others, makes for a tasty combo.
“One thing it will do is make them think about how they’re going to have to come back,” he added. “He is going to come at them, and it’s always nice when you’re stood at slip and not batting against him.
“He’s very different to other options that we’ve had previously in this team, and on a different surface, which might nibble and swing a little bit more to add that into a quartet, it’s a really big bonus for the team. You always feel like you’ve got something different to turn to.”
Though England remain 1-0 down in the series, Archer’s impact wasn’t the only positive to emerge from the Lord’s Test. Ben Stokes managed to translate his serene batting in the World Cup into his seventh Test century, but first since the Bristol incident in September 2017, and even Jos Buttler, without going on to make a significant score, looked more at ease against the red ball in making 31 in a key stand of 90 that set up England’s victory push.
“Things can change very quickly in sport. At the start of the week we wanted a big response and we have definitely done that,” Root said. “It felt like we put them under huge pressure. It shows how much we’re in this series.”
Stokes, who was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten 115, added of Archer: “I am not sure there will be a better debut in terms of announcing yourself.
“The spell [to Smith on day four] was incredible to watch,” he told Test Match Special. “We were laughing he was going to be top of the rankings after one Test. We are very lucky he is in our team. He gives you an extra dimension.”
However, Australia’s captain, Tim Paine, attempted to play down Archer’s impact, pointing out that, despite being on Test debut, he is hardly an unknown quantity on the international and franchise circuit.
“We’ve seen him for a few years now [in T20 cricket] and we know the package he brings with his pace,” Paine said. “That’s something every team wants to have. It’s up to us to make some plans and get better [against him]. It’s not all doom and gloom.”