Credit: England Cricket
It can be said that the lack of the fifth bowler led to England conceding 330 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Riding on the havoc wreaked by Matthew Breetzke (85 off 77 balls), Tristan Stubbs (58 off 62 balls), Dewald Brevis (42 off 20 balls), and Corbin Bosch (32 off 29 balls), the Proteas batting put up the second-highest team total at Lord’s in ODI history and has left England for a task to beat the ground’s record for the highest successful chase, set by India in the 2002 NatWest Series final. However, the South African side did wobble at times against Jofra Archer, who bowled a splendid spell to keep them in check at various stages of their innings.
Jofra Archer, England’s fast-bowling talisman, roared back into the spotlight on Thursday, delivering a scintillating four-wicket performance in the second ODI against South Africa at Lord’s. For Archer, the performance was deeply personal. The fast bowler, who has endured a journey through elbow surgeries, back injuries, and stress fractures since his heroics in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, has often spoken about the mental toll of his setbacks. “There were days I didn’t know if I’d get back here,” he reportedly shared in a mid-innings interview, his eyes reflecting both pride and relief. “Bowling at Lord’s, hearing the crowd, getting those wickets, it’s what I’ve been fighting for,” he further added after the performance.
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Jofra Archer broke 50+ opening stand of South Africa by dismissing Ryan Rickelton
Jofra Archer’s early spell was a masterclass in precision and menace. He delivered the first breakthrough to England, which came in the 14th over as he dismissed South African opener Ryan Rickelton, who was trying to whip his outside off length ball to the leg-side, but managed a top edge which was caught by wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. Ryan Rickelton’s wicket broke the 73 run opening partnership of South Africa. Despite a spirited recovery led by Matthew Breetzke, who scored a commanding 85, and Tristan Stubbs with a steady 58, Archer wasn’t appearing as done. He dismissed in-form Breetzke with a dipping slower ball that pinned him lbw, and provided a crucial breakthrough to England.
In the final over of the South African innings, Jofra Archer struck twice. He dismissed Senuran Muthusamy lbw by angling a yorker from outside off-stump line. On the last ball he took the wicket of Keshav Maharaj, as he miscued the ball and went across trying to scoop in an attempt to go for a boundary.
England lost the first ODI of the series and will be looking to make a comeback to tie the series, so that the winner of the series could be decided in the third ODI, scheduled to be contested on September 7 in Southampton.
