ASSAULT
Deadly Jofra draws first blood before Ashes
(inset, above) JOFRA ARCHER’S rise to cricketing superstardom has been as rapid as one of his deliveries.
Which is quite something, considering the speed of some of those he hurled down at the Aussie batsmen at Edgbaston yesterday.
In the space of just four months Archer has gone from being a nobody to somebody – and much more.
Somebody who has the cricketing world at his feet.
Back in April, he hadn’t even made his England debut, but before this weekend is done he might just have helped them become world champs.
The last time England reached the World Cup final in 1992, Archer wasn’t even born.
But now the man who has come from nowhere stands on the cusp of helping Eoin Morgan’s side end almost three decades of pain. Whatever happens against the Kiwis at Lord’s on Sunday, Archer’s place in the nation’s hearts is secured.
Such a privilege is guaranteed once someone terrorises our oldest and most bitter rivals – like Archer did here.
This was a home semi-final and the biggest game in a generation, but that didn’t stop Archer from giving the Aussies a bushwhacking in Birmingham.
The bigger the stage, the better he is. Which is concrete proof Archer is a special talent. England legend Andrew Flintoff insisted he would have dropped ‘anyone’ to have accommodated Archer in this World Cup squad. Now we know why.
It took him one ball to dismiss Aussie captain and talisman Aaron Finch for a golden duck.
It was quite a statement – and set the tone for the rest of the game as England went on to thrash the Aussies with such ease it will live long in the memories of those who witnessed it.
The Aussies will want to forget Archer, but won’t get the chance because the Ashes are just round the corner.
He might not make the first Test, back on this ground on August 1. But he will be charging in at some point. Alex Carey might be having cold sweats just thinking about that prospect after the going over he was given in this eight-wicket thumping.
Archer launched a bouncer into his helmet, leaving his rival dazed, bleeding from the chin and needing a bandage to support his jaw for the remainder of his innings.
While he was being patched up, Archer stood there laughing and joking with his team-mates in a show of almost innocent contempt.
In other words, he showed about as much concern as an Aussie would have for an Englishman
That’s how it should be. Cricket is a tough game that demands unforgiving attitudes from its stars. Such a cold and unflinching mindset made the likes of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting giants of the game as they led Australia to unprecedented success.
Archer is just 24, will lead England’s bowling attack for years and has the potential to be part of a similar spell of domination with his own side.
The man from Barbados has a languid action that is deceptive, reminiscent of West Indies great Michael Holding. He was known as ‘Whispering Death’ but there is no point whispering Archer’s name now.
Shout it loud because England now have a genuine fast bowler the rest of the world should – and will – be scared of.
So good luck to New Zealand. On this evidence, they’re going to need it.