Cut Archer some slack, says coach Silverwood

ENGLAND bowling coach Chris Silverwood has hit back at critics of Jofra Archer’s performance in the fourth Test, saying the fastbowling sensation deserves to be ‘cut a bit of slack’. Archer finished Australia’s first innings with figures of 0-97, after taking 13 wickets in his first two Tests at a cost of just 13 apiece. ‘We’re just going to be careful with Jofra,’ Silverwood said. ‘He’s playing his third Test match, so we’ve got to cut him a little bit of slack. He’s still finding his way into international cricket. He’s figuring out what it’s all about.’ Archer has enjoyed a stellar start to his international career, bowling the super over in the World Cup final win over New Zealand, bombarding Steve Smith on Test debut at Lord’s, then claiming 6-45 in Australia’s first innings at Headingley.

Archer touched 96mph at Lord’s, where the blow he inflicted on Smith’s neck ruled the world’s leading batsman out of the second innings there and the next Test. Archer was down on pace at Headingley, though he insisted he was simply trying to exploit seam-friendly conditions. But he was notably slower on the first day here, seeming to vindicate Australia coach Justin Langer’s pledge that his batsmen would wear down Archer. So far in five innings, the 24year-old has bowled 102.1 overs. ‘It’s part of his learning process,’ Silverwood said. ‘He is figuring out what he can and can’t do in Test cricket. The exciting thing is we know he can hit 90mph-plus. But sometimes it just doesn’t click.’