England greats laud 'gold dust' Archer after career-best display vs South Africa

02 February 2023 , 11:31

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Resurgent Archer inspired England to victory in the third ODI against South Africa (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Former captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton insist "box-office" Jofra Archer is invaluable to England after his match-winning performance against South Africa.

The resurgent Archer claimed six wickets to inspire England to a 59-run win over the Proteas in the third one-day international in Kimberley.

And the 27-year-old's electric spells with the ball in the consolation victory were an exciting throwback to his explosion onto the international scene back in 2019.

It has been a long road back to prominence for Archer, who has spent 17 frustrating months sidelined with serious back and elbow injuries.

But his career-best ODI bowling figures of 6-40 in 9.1 overs was another reminder of the prodigious talent England have in their ranks in an Ashes and World Cup year.

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And while Atherton has urged caution over heightened expectations surrounding Archer's comeback, the pundit lauded his sensational return.

"Elbow and back injuries are very serious for a fast bowler so there must have been some doubt for him over whether he would get back to full pace and full fitness," he told Sky Sports.

"He has a way to go to prove he can do it across formats in an ever-demanding schedule but this was a wonderful game for him.

Archer was bowling at high speeds in his career-best performance (Getty Images)

"He proved his value because South Africa had a bit of a charge on. You need wicket-takers in 50-over cricket and England have got those in Archer and Adil Rashid."

Archer will now prioritise building his fitness levels ahead of the Ashes series in June and July and England's World Cup defence in India in the autumn.

He will soon head to the IPL with the Mumbai Indians looking to get more overs under his belt in the nets ahead of a crucial international period.

And Hussain was effusive in his praise of Archer, claiming he is like 'gold dust' for the England side if his fitness can be well managed in the coming months.

"Bowling fast is not easy and he has got that Michael Holding effortless grace," Hussain said. "Everything is line - everything is in straight lines, his seam position. It is just perfection. Not a lot can go wrong, apart from his body.

"He is a graceful fast bowler and it is so good to have him back in international cricket. He is like gold dust and needs looking after. He is so valuable for English cricket and world cricket. He is so box office."

Ben Parsons