Speedy, key element in England’s victory trail of 2019
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| Jofra Archer was England’s highest wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup with 20 scalps, and 5 three-wicket hauls. |
Virat Kohli observed about Archer
before the 2019 World Cup, "I think he is probably going to be their
X-Factor because he holds a skillset which is probably different from everybody
else. He can generate a lot of pace which can be intimidating. You don't expect
that because of his run-up but the way he is built...he is a great athlete.”
The English batsmen flayed the South
African attack to post 311 for eight in the opening faceoff of the 2019 World
Cup. Archer caused early damage, hitting Hashim Amla on the grill of the helmet
with a vicious bouncer, forcing him to retire hurt. Not long after, he had the
new batsman Aiden Markram caught at slip. Soon, he sent back skipper Faf du
Plessis with another bumper, edged into the hands of fine-leg. He returned
later to end a fighting knock from Rassie van der Dussen (50), having him
caught at mid-on. The Proteas were on the ropes at 167 for six, and eventually
bowled out for 207 in under 40 overs. Archer returned with a bag of three for 27
from 7 overs. It was a fiery World Cup debut.
The Pakistani top-order was in prime
form. It was a sobering experience for Archer as he finished with none for 79
in a total of 348 for eight. It was a tall order for England, and battle as
they might, ended up 14 runs short of the opponents’ total.
There was a course correction as they
took on Bangladesh. The opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow that
served them so well in this tournament strung together a century stand. It
enabled them to post their highest World Cup total of 386 for six. Archer
bowled a beauty to Soumya Sarkar that sent the off bail flying. He returned
later and got Mehidy Hasan Miraj to nick into the gloves of Bairstow. In the
same over, he bowled a fierce short one to last-man Mustafizur Rahman who did
not have the wherewithal to survive it. He fended and the ball lobbed to
Bairstow. Bangladesh were sent packing for 280. Archer had three for 29 this
time off 8.5 overs.
The English bowlers put the West
Indies batting under pressure right from the start. Archer dug one in to
top-scorer Nicholas Pooran (63), and had him nicking into the gloves of Jos
Buttler. Next ball, he trapped Sheldon Cottrell leg-before. Soon, he had Carlos
Brathwaite edging for Buttler to snap up another one. West Indies were gasping
at 211 for nine, and were all out a run later. Archer walked off with three for
30 off 9 overs. England breezed to an eight-wicket win.
With Eoin Morgan leading the
annihilation of the Afghan bowlers with his 148 in 71 deliveries, England
recorded their highest total in the World Cup of 397 for six. Archer was once
again relentless. Noor Ali Zadran played him on to the stumps for a duck. He
castled top scorer Hashmatullah Shahidi (76). Finally he had Rashid Khan caught
in the covers. Afghanistan finished on 247 for eight. Archer captured three for
52 in 10 overs.
Archer once again made an early
breakthrough, getting the Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne to edge to
Buttler behind the sticks. Later, he deceived Dhananjaya de Silva with a slower
one and had him caught at mid-on. In his next over, he had Thisara Perera
caught at third-man with a short one. Sri Lanka posted 232 for nine. Archer
again had an analysis of three for 52 in 10 overs. England made heavy weather
of the chase, and despite Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 82, lost by 20 runs.
The Australian openers Aaron Finch
and David Warner put on a century stand. Archer picked up centurion Finch,
caught hooking at fine-leg. That was his solitary wicket, conceding 56 runs in
9 overs. Australia posted 285 for seven. Once again, Ben Stokes played a heroic
innings of 89, but England were bowled out for 221.
The English batsmen made amends by
putting up 337 for seven on the board off the Indian bowling. It was a spirited
chase by their batsmen with Rohit Sharma hitting his third hundred of the
tournament and Virat Kohli his fifth successive half-century. They denied
Archer a wicket as he expended 45 runs in 10 overs. But India finished 31 runs
short of the English score.
With openers Jason Roy and Jonny
Bairstow continuing their great form, England logged up 305 for eight against
New Zealand. After Chris Woakes had dismissed Henry Nicholls, Martin Guptill
glanced Archer, and Buttler took a brilliant catch. New Zealand were struggling
at 14 for two after 5.2 overs. They eventually folded up for 186. Archer had a
return of one for 17 off 7 overs.
Archer struck a stunning blow in the
semi-final, trapping Finch leg-before first-ball, bringing it in sharply. With
Glenn Maxwell on the attack, Archer had him caught in the covers with a slower
one. Australia were dismissed for 223. Archer gave away 32 runs for his two
wickets in 10 overs. England coasted to an eight-wicket triumph.
In the dramatic final, Archer knocked off the furniture of last-man Matt Henry. New Zealand ended on 241 for eight. This wicket cost Archer 42 runs in 10 overs. England were also bowled out for 241 off the last ball of their 50th over. Defending 15 runs in the Super Over, Archer conceded the same number. The Super Over was also tied. England won the title on higher boundary count.
Archer played a vital part in England’s victory trail of 2019. He was their highest wicket-taker with 20 scalps at 23.05 apiece and an economy-rate of 4.57. He had 5 three-wicket hauls, four of them in a row. Whenever in need of a breakthrough, his side turned to him, and more often than not he delivered.
