England's star pacer Jofra Archer returned from his very long injury layoff with a masterful performance to help his team MI Cape Town defeat the Paarl Royals in the first match of the newly-inducted SA20 League in South Africa. Archer was back to his best after bagging a wicket on his third ball for MI Cape Town in the competition.
Out of action since 2021, England's leading wicket-taker during the 50-over World Cup in 2019 played his last international match in March during their T20I tour of India. He was first plagued with a recurring elbow injury, and to underwent surgeries before recovering from a stress fracture of his lower back, which ruled him out of the entire 2022 season.
The 27-year-old Archer had been out of action since 2021, having played his last international match in March during England's T20I tour of India. In the match against Paarl, he looked fit and back to his best, with three wickets in four overs with just 27 runs conceded.
Earlier, Archer joined England's setup in the UAE in November 2022 to train alongside the England Lions and also played in the warm-up match against the England Test squad. Back then, his return was part of a managed return to action. The fast bowler is supposed to play two matches for MI Cape Town before England's ODI tour of South Africa.
"A small day but still a big day," Archer had said about his return to the UAE. "I had rather take these few months very seriously, more serious than probably all of the rehab."
"Because once this phase goes right, then it can set me up for the next three to four years injury-free. That's the goal right now," Archer added.
He is seen as a key part of the future of the Mumbai Indians and will hope to finally make his debut for the five-time champions.
Meanwhile, Cape Town won by eight wickets while chasing down Paarl's 142 runs. After Jos Buttler and David Miller powered his team to an average score, MI Cape Town opener Dewald Brevis carried the bat with an unbeaten 70 off just 41 balls to display to power-hitting prowess rout their opponents.
