TOUGH FOR JOF
KYLE EDMUND accused the Spaniards of dirty tricks after a late change to their line-up just before their Davis Cup semi-final.
The British star only learned five minutes before walking out the hosts had subbed lefthander Feliciano Lopez in the place of Pablo Carreno Busta. Spain claimed the world No.27 got the right thigh injury after the team was announced.
But the former British No.1, again picked ahead of Andy Murray, was not affected by the lack of preparation.
He used his big serve and forehand to hammer out victory 6- 3 7- 6 – his third consecutive singles win since being recalled on Thursday.
“I found out about the
Dean Wilson
THE idea Jofra Archer will be England’s overseas saviour on flat pitches might not be as bright as hoped after skipper Joe Root struggled to get the best out of him.
Archer (right) is playing in just his fifth Test and his first outside England.
And the expectations on the 24-year-old paceman’s shoulders are ludicrous.
But such is the excitement generated by his World Cup and Ashes bow, it was still a surprise he went wicketless
“I think they knew what was going on but they just went to the rules, they could do that. I was smiling about it when I got told. Sort of like, ‘Okay, yeah, yeah, I see what’s going on’.
“But if you say about this spirit, it’s professional sport, this is why we always talk about these things. It happens in football, little mind games.
“On paper maybe they didn’t do anything wrong. But once it’s done, it’s done. And I was just, ‘Yeah, okay, let’s go, let’s play’.”
Canada beat Russia in the other semi-final to reach their first Davis Cup final. on a day when BJ Watling carved his name into Test history with the first hundred on the newest Test ground in the world.
Watling’s unbeaten 119 saw New Zealand close day three on 394-6, a first innings lead of 41 runs.
Chastening
Yes, the pitch was flat.
Yes, the heat was energysapping.
And yes, Watling batted beautifully and patiently.
But England fans were left scratching their heads as Root and Archer appeared to be anything but in sync on a chastening day.
And they weren’t the only ones questioning the tactics Archer was asked to employ by mainly bowling short.
Former England batting coach turned pundit Mark Ramprakash said: “Jofra Archer is a better bowler than the role he is being asked to do here.
“That role is wrong. He should be bowling more balls at the top of off stump.
“Root has got a new toy and there needs to be some communication and understanding of how to get the best out of Jofra. Bowlers must be careful, when a captain who is a batsman dictates how they bowl and decides their role in the side, don’t take away their strengths.
“He’s not been picked because he bowls five bouncers an over.”
Head coach Chris Silverwood said: “Jofra is learning about himself and Test cricket.
“And equally Joe is learning to captain him as well. We’re growing together.”