JOFRA BACK AND QUICKLY UP TO SPEED
JOFRA ARCHER made an immediate impact on his return to first-class cricket with Sussex — then insisted he felt fit ahead of next month’s first Test against New Zealand. His participation was in doubt after concerns in the England camp that he operated below full throttle during a Second XI game last week — his first red-ball cricket since the third Test against India at Ahmedabad in February. But with head coach Chris Silverwood set to name his Test squad on Tuesday, Archer took two early wickets as Kent were skittled for 145 at Hove, and showed no signs of the right elbow problem that ruled him out of the IPL. After starting with two maidens, he found extra bounce to have Daniel BellDrummond edging to second slip, then removed Test team-mate Zak Crawley, caught behind for seven off an unplayable delivery. Archer’s opening spell, up the Hove hill, read 4-3-6-2. There was time for two more bursts on a rain-splattered first day, but no more wickets, leaving him with two for 29 off 13 overs. ‘With the injury I have tried not to get too frustrated,’ he said. ‘My fitness is fine — I thought I bowled OK. If I’m fit, I guess I will play in the Test series and I feel all right. I’d be happy to go into the England bubble again.’ The limelight was grabbed by Test hopeful Ollie Robinson, who finished with three for 29, taking his season’s haul to 28 wickets at 13. Only Jack Leaning resisted, making 63, before Sussex closed on 51 for two. Elsewhere, Alex Lees fell for 99 as Durham were dismissed for 246 by Worcestershire at Chester-le-Street. Seamer Josh Tongue bowled four batsmen on his way to five for 39. In the only other game to escape the rain, Middlesex reached 90 for four against Hampshire at Lord’s.