Watch: Jofra Archer, who last played a professional game in May 2023, made a return to action for Sussex Second XI against Kent.

Playing in the Second Eleven Championship clash, Archer was back bowling at his ferocious best at Beckenham on Friday (May 17). The quick began his preparations for the T20 World Cup next month with a hostile spell of fast bowling with plenty of short balls that troubled the batters.

He started by conceding a four from his first ball but bounced back strongly, with his second ball climbing rapidly, beating the batter with pace. Archer, who had not bowled in the first innings of the game, took the new ball and stuck and bowled several bouncers in his six-over spell. He was also rewarded for his efforts after opener Ekansh Singh edged a short ball to third slip, where Henry Rogers took a diving catch to his left.

Archer ended with figures of 1-11 after his first six overs as Kent look to chase down Sussex’s target of 292.

Archer has not played international cricket in over 14 months and will look to make a comeback in the T20 World Cup in June. Archer’s blossoming career has been rocked by injuries in the recent past, resulting in him playing only 20 international games since the start of 2020. He last played a first-class game three years ago.

Watch Jofra Archer’s spell here: