Jofra Archer remains available to bowl for England against South Africa after double beamer row

Archer was at the centre of attention in Pretoria.
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Will Macpherson27 December 2019

Jofra Archer will be available to bowl for England in the Boxing Day Test at Centurion after a curious end to the second day which saw him bowl a pair of beamers to South Africa’s Anrich Nortje.

Archer picked up two wickets as England fought back in the evening session (South Africa are four down in the second innings and lead by 175), but then accidentally slipped out a beamer when trying to bowl a knuckle ball.

A no-ball was given, so it was a surprise to see Archer attempt a repeat dose with the next ball. Nortje took evasive action and the square-leg umpire Paul Reiffell appeared to put his arm out to signal another no-ball – which would have seen Archer withdrawn from the attack. Reiffell changed his mind, however, and the over.

“I saw him put his arm out and I think he tucked it in quite quickly. They withdrew that second no ball,” said England’s Joe Denly, who was fielding at leg slip and had earlier top-scored with 50 in England’s 181 all out.

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At stumps an over after the beamers, members of South Africa’s leadership group, including captain Faf du Plessis, appeared to take issue with the decision. Match referee Andy Pycroft visited England captain Joe Root to discuss the incident.

If Archer were to bowl another beamer high enough to be ruled a no-ball, he would be withdrawn from the attack for the rest of the match.

South Africa’s Vernon Philander, who bowled superbly to take four for 16 earlier, described the issue as “an interesting one” but said it was in the hands of the umpires.

“I don't know what happened but there was a little bit of a conversation going on after the game,” he said. “For me it's plain and simple, we're playing a game and we're setting an example for the rest of the people coming into this game. You've got to make the right call.

“Are we going to tolerate it at another game or are we going to put a stop to it right here. It’s in the hands of the umpires.

“I don't mind, I've got no say in it at all.”

“I suppose if you're at square leg and you call no-ball you've got to stand your ground. At no time did they actually cancel it."

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