Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Cricket World Cup - Hat-trick of Home Wins’. Hall of Fame: Jofra Archer

 Speedy, key element in England’s victory trail of 2019

Jofra Archer was England’s highest wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup with 20 scalps, and 5 three-wicket hauls.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Matches 11, Balls 605 Maidens 8, Runs 461, Wickets 20, Average 23.05, Best 3/27, Runs/Over 4.57, Catches 2

A lethal paceman capable of generating lightning speed and disconcerting bounce, Jofra Archer’s career has been dogged by injury. He has been in and out of the English team, but when fit is central to their plans with his ability to strike, invariably when needed.

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 50^th 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.