Eoin Morgan urges caution over Jofra Archer after successful T20 debut

Archer backed up his solid 50-over debut with an even more impressive T20 baptism against Pakistan

Phil Blanche
Monday 06 May 2019 10:38 BST
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Jofra Archer celebrates taking his first T20 wicket
Jofra Archer celebrates taking his first T20 wicket

England captain Eoin Morgan has vowed Jofra Archer will be handled carefully following his successful introduction to international cricket.

Archer backed up his solid 50-over debut against Ireland on Friday with an even more impressive Twenty20 baptism in the seven-wicket win over Pakistan.

The Barbados-born paceman produced some excellent variation in Cardiff, mixing slow off-cutters with deliveries of real pace and bounce, to finish with two for 29 from his four overs.

Archer might now be expected to play a major part in the forthcoming five-match ODI series against Pakistan, pressing his case for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.

But Morgan said: “It’s been a while, before the Ireland game, that he (Archer) has played 50-over cricket and we’re conscious of not over-bowling him.

“Jofra came on from the game in Ireland, he showed a lot more what he’s about.

“It’s another debut and they don’t always go well. The majority of the time they don’t.

“Him and the other bowlers will have the opportunity to show what they can do (in the ODI series against Pakistan).”

Archer, Ben Foakes and Ben Duckett all made T20 debuts as England overhauled Pakistan’s 173 for six with four balls to spare to maintain their 100 per cent record at Cardiff in this format of the game.

Morgan saw England home with an unbeaten 57 from 29 balls after Joe Root (47) and James Vince (36) had laid the groundwork for a successful chase.

Morgan saw England home with an unbeaten 57 from 29 balls

The England skipper was grateful for time in the middle after being dismissed for nought in the four-wicket win over Ireland at Malahide.

“I’ve not felt in good form so far this summer, I’ve not been at the top of my game,” Morgan said.

“I was going to try and use this series to get some scores under my belt and get that confidence back before the World Cup.

“But walking off after a game like that, it’s probably changed a little bit. It was extremely useful.”

Morgan addressed the bizarre incident at the start of the game when paceman David Willey was lucky to avoid serious injury.

Jofra Archer and Eoin Morgan discuss during the game

Willey was just about to reach the delivery crease when the ground gave way under him and a huge hole appeared in the Sophia Gardens turf.

Apparently, it was the result of a pitch box popping up after contact, and ground staff had to repair the damage while Willey was forced to adapt his run-up.

“Before we bowled a ball, David ran in and it was right in his stride,” Morgan said.

“We agreed with the umpire that David would miss his stride so he could land a foot further.

“One of his strides obviously went back into pattern and hit it. There was no harm done, but it could have ended pretty badly.

“The covering was broke, smashed straight through, and replaced. It was a small tunnel, it looked like wiring in there.”

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