SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 10 hrs 57 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Joe Root: 'Jofra Archer is something special'

:Headline: Joe Root: 'Jofra Archer is something special': ID:371635: from db_amp
Archer picked up 22 Australian wickets in four Ashes Tests.

Joe Root knows England have “something special” on their hands in Jofra Archer but has already started the job of managing expectations around the breakout star of the summer.

Four months on from his international debut, Archer has already played a starring role in England’s historic World Cup win, leading the team’s wicket charts and bowling the decisive super over in the Lord’s final, and excelled in the pressure cooker of the Ashes.

He picked up 22 Australian scalps in four Tests at an average of 20.27 and was responsible for some hair-raising spells of fast bowling.

The 24-year-old drew a blank on his final day of the series, when England’s 135-run win at The Oval squared the score at 2-2, but his fiery battle with centurion Matthew Wade in the afternoon was arguably the highlight of the contest.

Not for the first time in his short Test career Archer cranked the speed gun past 95mph and whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he peppered the batsmen with short balls.

He is a box office talent and one that leaves Root battling conflicting instincts: as a cricket lover he is plainly enthused, as a skipper he is understandably protective.

“When I faced him in the nets against the red ball it was pretty clear he’d be something special,” said Root.

Archer has burst onto the Test scene (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He’s come in and been fantastic. He has a way of having a huge impact on the game. His spell here… you saw the way he changed the whole atmosphere at the ground.

“For someone right at the beginning of their career to have such a gift, it’s great to be able to captain that and I very much look forward to the rest of his journey.

“But we’ve got to be careful not to expect too much of him, he’s a young guy. He’s still learning and I’m still learning how to get the best out of him as a captain.”

Root was particularly keen to warn against burdening Archer with the expectation of bowling at electric pace every time he takes the field. He has varied his speeds depending on conditions and is as happy probing for outside edges as whistling the ball past helmets.

“For someone right at the beginning their career to have such a gift, it's great to be able to captain that and I very much look forward to rest of his journey”
- Joe Root on Jofra Archer

To see him at full tilt is a thrilling sight, but not one Root expects him to produce on demand.

“At times he might not always bowl at 90mph, but he will still go at 2.5 an over and create chances,” said Root.

“Making sure we don’t expect him to average 12 over the next two-and-a-half years is important, but knowing he’s got that ability to turn a game on his own is exciting.

“One thing we can expect is he’s going entertain and he’s going to make things happen.”

amp_article__371635 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-16 10:32:46:
html db last update - 2021-03-05 10:41:30 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jofra Archer

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about Jofra Archer Joe Root Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .