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The moment Jofra Archer’s step-dad knew he was special

Archer
by Wisden Staff 3 minute read

By now, there is little doubt about how special Jofra Archer is.

In less than a year since the fast bowler made his England debut, he has bowled the match-winning super over in a World Cup final, taken three five-fors in seven Test matches, including two Ashes six-fors, and roughed up the world’s best batsmen with his express pace countless times.

Though he came late to the English scene, only moving to the country as a 19-year-old, those close to him in Barbados long recognised his talents, including his step-father, Patrick Waithe, who felt the full brunt of Archer’s promise in one evening net session.

“We used to go to Pickwick [Cricket Club] which is like 15 minutes from here,” he said, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s documentary series ‘The Jofra Archer Story’. “We used to go there every evening and play in the nets. He would bowl and I would bat. And this one evening, he bowled me four consecutive times! And I was like, ‘Jof, am I not going to get a knock this evening?’ It was a surprise to me. I don’t think I batted to him much in the nets after that!”

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