Moeen Ali: Jofra Archer is the fastest bowler I have faced

The fast bowler is “unbelievable” and makes “good batters do different things,” says the all-rounder.

Jofra Archer celebrates one of his four wickets in the opening contest of the ICC World Cup.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has said Jofra Archer is the fastest bowler he has faced and someone who makes “good batters do different things.”

Archer catapulted himself into the England squad on the eve of the World Cup and had only made three ODI appearances before ripping apart the South African batting in the tournament opener on Thursday. Touching speeds of 94mph, he accounted for Aiden Markram, captain Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen to finish with 3 for 27 on his World Cup debut. He also bowled a sharp bouncer that hit opener Hashim Amla on the head, forcing him to retire hurt.

'Amazing'

“Jofra is amazing. He just makes good batters do different things, that pace he has is incredible. He is the fastest I have ever faced. It is unbelievable. He gives us that something else, he can win you games even if he goes for a few runs,” said Ali.

“Knowing you have him in your side makes a big difference.”

How good was @JofraArcher yesterday!? #WeAreEngland#CWC19#ExpressYourselfpic.twitter.com/ChdZeVMQJ4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 31, 2019

 

The pressure was on host England at The Oval and it got off to a disappointing start — losing Jonny Bairstow to just the second ball of the tournament when he nicked leg-spinner Imran Tahir behind. Yet it recovered to post 311 for 8, thanks to four players making half-centuries, led by Stokes’ 89.

'Lot of pressure'

That appeared to be about par at the interval but Archer’s express pace, along with the savvy spin of Ali and Adil Rashid, saw off South Africa for 207. The host next faces Pakistan at Trent Bridge and Moeen says it can now relax after getting through its first major test.

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“I felt, losing the toss and with it being a 10.30 start, that there was a lot of pressure. More than we have ever faced. We would have liked to have chased,” he said.

“To bat like that showed we really adapted to the wicket and it was great, I thought the guys did really well on what was a tough wicket. Everyone was a bit nervous. I was on the balcony watching and I think the pressure with being the home side and the No.1 side in the world was always going to be on. The guys played really well, it was a massive win for us,” he added.