Australia’s spin great Shane Warne has singled out Jofra Archer as England’s answer to Steve Smith’s heavy run-making, calling him the Australian batsman’s ‘biggest challenge yet’.
“Obviously, I would love to see Steve go on and score a hundred in every single innings for the rest of the Ashes, but with Jofra coming in, I think he’ll be set to face his biggest challenge yet, and this could make the difference in the upcoming Tests,” Warne was quoted as saying by AFP. “No one likes to face tall 90 mph bowlers.”
Archer is expected to replace veteran pacer James Anderson, who hobbled out of the first Test after bowling just four overs. With his calf injury resurfacing, Anderson has been ruled out of the second Test.
“The loss of Anderson was such a blow for England and they will really need Jofra to step up,” Warne said, “but I think he has all the attributes to do just that.”
