Rain limited day three of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Friday, but not before fast bowler Jofra Archer welcomed a maiden wicket in the longest format of the international game.
Archer, like batsmen Jason Roy and Jos Buttler, has been elevated to the Test XI on the back of a fine stretch of form at limited-overs level.
The Barbados-born right-armer qualified to play for England earlier this year. He was relatively rushed into the ODI squad – and played a starring role in the country’s title-winning World Cup campaign last month.
Australia pledged plenty en route to 60 for one, but slipped to 80 for four in reply to the 258 all out England managed on day two. Day one was washed out entirely.
Archer dismissed opener Cameron Bancroft lbw, while fellow seamers Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes removed middle-order men Travis Head and Usman Khawaja, respectively. Broad had bowled the struggling David Warner on day two.
Characteristic London rain allowed just 24 overs and one delivery on Friday, though. The players and umpires Chris Gaffaney and Aleem Dar left the field shortly before the lunch break – and did not returned. Play was called off at 17:25 local time (18:25 South African time).
The prolific Steven Smith and fellow first Test centurion Matthew Wade will resume on Saturday, if the inclement weather has abated.
The Australians have an early lead in the five-match series, having won last week’s opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham by 251 runs. Smith’s twin tons and spinner Nathan Lyon’s nine wickets were largely responsible for the triumph.
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