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"Emotional Journey": Jofra Archer Silences Keyboard Warriors With 5-Fer On Test Comeback

Akshita Patel

Jofra Archer reveals true emotion on Test comeback [Source: AP Photos]Jofra Archer reveals true emotion on Test comeback [Source: AP Photos]

After four and a half years of pain, patience, and rehab, Jofra Archer roared back into Test cricket with a fifer in his comeback game against India at Lord’s Cricket Ground. In an emotional interview, Archer revealed how haters wrote him off, but he is grateful to stay put.

The 30-year-old speedster played a starring role in England’s thrilling 22-run win over India at Lord’s, marking his return to red-ball cricket with a fiery five-wicket haul.

Archer, who has struggled with recurring elbow and back injuries, finally got the chance to don the Test whites again, and he made every ball count, clocking over 90mph regularly and dismissing key Indian batters, including Yashasvi Jaiswal with the third ball of his comeback.

Jofra Archer Gets Emotional On Heroic Spell At Lord’s

The speedster's performance was nothing short of sensational. He dismissed Jaiswal twice and bowled a jaffa to clean up Rishabh Pant in the fourth inning. He also picked a sensational catch off his own bowling to dismiss Washington Sundar on a duck.

Meanwhile, the five-wicket-haul on Test comeback felt special as Jofra Archer silenced his critics who wrote him off due to injuries. Talking to Sky Sports, Archer didn’t hold back as he hit out at online critics.

"It was a long time coming, a lot of rehab, a lot of training but it's moments like this that makes it all worth it. It was a long journey and I was a bit emotional. I tried my best not to be but when I got the first wicket I think that all went out of the window. All the joy. The whole crowd gave me a huge lift," Archer said.

Archer initially missed the first two Tests against India, and England’s cautious approach paid off at the right time to give his side a 2-1 lead in the 5-game series.

Archer Reveals His Overs Are Planned Until December

Interestingly, Jofra Archer not only rattled the Indian top order, but he also bowled 39.2 overs, more than even he expected on his return. The pacer admitted he still has bowling limits in place until December but was thrilled with the outcome.

"The hardest part has been playing cricket for the last year and a half and still having the training wheels on talking about workloads - bowl today, don't bowl tomorrow. Sometimes you think you are ready but you never know until you do it. I think I still have overs marked out until December so I am not totally out of the woods but this is a good start. It was very hectic for a first Test back. I bowled more overs than I thought I would," he added.

With a history of serious back injuries, England wants to roll out Archer slowly and steadily to ensure he stays fit for the high-stakes Ashes series against Australia scheduled later in the year.