Du Plessis rates Archer as ‘X-factor’ for England
Jofra Archer’s nasty bouncer could be the ball of the tournament, a shock weapon that blows teams away until batsmen work out a method, according to Faf du Plessis, the South Africa captain.
Archer hitting Hashim Amla on the head and forcing him off the field was the moment he announced himself as an England player and it was a blow Du Plessis believes South Africa never really recovered from. His three for 27 included two caught off top edges taking on the short ball, including Du Plessis.
“Archer bowled well with the new ball and a lot of guys have not played against him,” said Du Plessis.
“It will take time for international teams to get used to his action because he is a bit nippier than you think when he hits the crease. It is why he is an X-factor bowler. He broke through our top three and it was always going to be a hard task from there.”
Archer’s Indian Premier League experiences have helped him cope with the transition to a World Cup, but he admitted to feeling more nervous before this game than ever before. He relied on his stock ball, the bouncer, to calm the butterflies and revelled in the occasion.
“Honestly, it was a great atmosphere,” he said. “Everyone exploded when my name was announced and it’s a great feeling. It gave me that little bit extra. My bouncer is a wicket-taking ball and a dot ball, so I’d be stupid not to use it.”
Amla departed in clear discomfort but returned to complete his innings after passing concussion protocols. “You’re always a bit worried for the person who gets hit, it was a very quick delivery,” said England’s Moeen Ali. “We hope he’s OK and fit enough to play for the rest of the tournament. It was a rapid delivery out of nowhere.”