Jofra Archer delivered the quickest opening burst of his Test career on the second day of the Lord's Test against Pakistan, setting the tone for an England side that bowled with relentless precision and intensity. The visitors were bundled out for just 110 runs in their first innings, thanks to a dominant performance from the English pace attack. Ollie Robinson ripped through the batting line‑up with figures of 4‑11, Archer claimed 3‑26, and Josh Tongue added 2‑27, each bowler contributing to a collective onslaught that left Pakistan reeling.
Archer’s spell was a five‑over blitz that began before lunch, during which he rattled the ball at an average speed of 90.7 mph, according to CricViz, with a few deliveries even touching the 94‑mph mark. His early breakthrough came when he trapped the unsteady Shan Masood lbw, a wicket that helped Pakistan stagger to 16‑2 after just 14.1 overs of searing pace. The sheer velocity and aggression of Archer’s delivery made the opposition look uncomfortable, a sentiment echoed by England paceman Mark Wood on Sky Sports Cricket. Wood described the display as "high‑quality" and "the very best of international sport," noting that England’s relentless line and length forced each bowler to build on the pressure created by his predecessor.
The English attack’s variety was highlighted by Nasser Hussain, who praised the combination of pace, skill, and angles that the bowlers brought to the crease. Robinson’s high release point and near‑perpendicular delivery generated extra bounce, while Tongue’s ability to swing the ball far outside the perpendicular created angles that forced right‑handers into precarious positions, making them prone to nicking edges. This strategic diversity made it difficult for Pakistan’s batsmen to settle, and the scoreboard reflected the mounting pressure.
Robinson’s spell was particularly devastating. After the lunch interval, he dismissed both Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam, who edged the ball to the keeper and third slip respectively. He also overturned two on‑field lbw calls, ultimately finishing with an astonishing 4‑11 from 13 overs. Since returning to the Test side earlier this summer, Robinson has been averaging an eye‑popping 8.84 with the ball, underscoring his impact on England’s resurgence in the longer format.
Archer, despite his raw speed, was not merely a fire‑brand; he combined swing, seam, and a couple of well‑timed bouncers to keep the Pakistani tail in constant doubt. He repeatedly threatened both edges of the bat, especially targeting Azan Awais, who managed to survive 14 deliveries without being dismissed—a testament to his resilience but also an illustration of Archer’s relentless pressure. Archer’s figures of 3‑26 helped England wrap up the tail quickly, with Pakistan’s final five wickets falling for just 19 runs.
Former England bowler Stuart Broad commented that Archer was unlucky not to claim a five‑wicket haul, noting that the bowler’s skill set—pace, swing, seam, and bounce—was on full display. Broad praised the English unit as “brilliant with the ball,” emphasizing that even on a pitch that offered movement, the bowlers consistently hit the right areas and denied the opposition any easy boundaries. Archer himself acknowledged a recent run of bad luck, saying that wickets have been elusive but urging patience, as wickets eventually come in “buckets.” He also expressed admiration for Azan’s ability to survive so many deliveries without being dismissed, calling it a remarkable feat. Looking ahead, Archer welcomed the depth of England’s seam attack, noting that the fitness of the bowlers means the workload can be shared, allowing him to bowl longer spells—12 overs in this innings compared with nine in the previous Test.
He humorously suggested that at this rate he could continue playing until the age of 40. Overall, England’s bowling performance on day two was a masterclass in pace, variation, and relentless pressure. The combination of Archer’s blistering speed, Robinson’s pinpoint accuracy, and Tongue’s clever angles created a nightmare scenario for Pakistan’s batsmen, who struggled to find any rhythm. The English side built a substantial lead, positioning themselves strongly for the remainder of the match.
Fans can continue to follow the action as day three unfolds, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Saturday.