Jofra Archer’s miraculous comeback occurred in Kimberley, a South African city where diamonds have been mined for more than a century, so it was only natural.

Injury had prevented the 27-year-old, England’s most valuable asset, from dominating the stage he made his own for nearly two years.

But in Wednesday’s third one-day international against South Africa, Archer wowed once more following a stretch of dog-sitting rather than wicket-taking.

He bowled with the pace that brought back all the memories of his debut season for England and took six wickets, the first time he has taken five or more in the format.

Similar to the 2019 World Cup, stomps were splattered. Similar to how Australia’s Steve Smith was four years ago on that historic Ashes day at Lord’s, Aiden Markram was taken by surprise and struck with a menacing bouncer.

Nasser Hussain, a former England captain, said of him: “He is like gold dust.” He is extremely important to both English and international cricket.

Today marked Archer’s actual return.

Brilliant Six wickets from Archer help England win.
How a first-ever five-wicket haul occurred
11.4 overs: Rassie van der Dussen, who cuts the ball to backward point, is removed by Archer, who was introduced in the eighth over. SA 60-2. 11.5 overs: Archer’s 92 mph bouncer hits Markram’s shoulder as the new batter. SA 60-2 25.4 overs: With Markram and Reeza Hendricks performing well, Archer is brought back to the attack. Markram attempts to pull the fast bowler four balls into the spell but is caught off a top-edge. SA 158-4. 27.1 overs: In his subsequent over, left-hander Archer outpaces dangerous David Miller’s pace by nicking a 90 mph delivery through to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. 27.2 overs; SA 175-5: Nearly two out of two. Moeen Ali is unable to make a difficult, low catch after Marco Jansen edges his first ball into the slip area. Archer is hauled in to bowl once more as Heinrich Klaasen leads South Africa to victory with 80 from 62 balls as SA 175-5 in 39.4 overs. He is caught at deep square leg by a slower-ball bouncer from Archer. 41.1 overs and SA 278-7: Archer has five! He approaches Wayne Parnell from around the wicket and bowls him as he turns away. SA 281-9 in 43.1 overs; six more. To secure England’s 59-run victory, Archer bowls number 11 Tabraiz Shamsi. SA 287 outright.
When he bowled Parnell to secure his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs, Archer’s joy was evident as he punched the air and yelled in celebration.

After missing 17 months due to injury, this was only his second international game in a highly awaited comeback. It had been 22 months since his last appearance in England colors prior to the first ODI on Friday, when he returned his most expensive ODI numbers.

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The first indication of Archer’s injury issues appeared during the early 2021 trip of India. Soon later, an elbow issue was bad enough to need surgery, and soon after that, another procedure was required.

When Archer was ready to make a comeback in May 2022, it was later discovered that he had a stress fracture in his back. He would be unable to run for office again.

Archer spent the majority of his time on Barbados, the island of his birth, because he was unable to bowl or for a time even run. He bought five new canines to complement his French mastiff, Sheeba, American bulldogs named Ace, Onyx, Ghost, Nova, and Luna.

But England was determined to keep him close at all times, perhaps once more realizing the remarkable potential they possessed.

Archer was welcomed to the nets when the white-ball team visited the Caribbean in January 2022. When the Test team arrived back two months later, he was there once more.

Archer was obviously being kept close.

Archer twice changed the course of a game that was headed in South Africa now that his rehabilitation months are behind him. His teammates moved aside when the victory was secured to let him lead the team off the field.

“It’s nice to be back. It has been a difficult journey, he remarked.

Although it’s a small tick, I want to check how I’m doing in April, June, July, and September.

It’s strange to be back after however many weeks or months. There is still plenty of time to finish the fine-tuning as this is only the first series.

“He’s really back,”
After an otherwise disappointing series, won 2-1 by South Africa, Archer’s return has given England fans a jolt of enthusiasm ahead of the Ashes series against Australia in June and July and England’s 50-over World Cup defense beginning in India in October.

Former England player and TV commentator Kevin Pietersen observed, “He really is back, back with a vengeance,” as Archer claimed his fifth wicket.

Archer will make his return to the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians in the upcoming months. He has stated that he will bowl more practice innings to improve his fitness for the Ashes.

According to former England captain Michael Atherton, “back and elbow are really essential, so there would have been some concern there about whether he would get back.”

“It was a beautiful day for him,” his mother said. “He’s got some distance to go now to show he can do it across platforms and then cope with an ever-demanding schedule.”

The Australian team just landed in India for the tantalizing four-Test series that will begin the following week. It’s still unlikely that Archer’s performance went unnoticed.

The rest of us can just enjoy the fact that one of England’s most intriguing players is back and contributing for the time being, though.

Hussain continued, “What I absorbed today was not just his skill and potential wicket-taker; what I’ve missed is just the effortless grace he possesses.

May that go on forever.

Garys Goldfish was dubbed “the most entertaining England bowler since Flintoff” on social media by @JofraArcher. The fact that you seem to have healed from your severe injury issues and are once again performing so beautifully makes me very happy, even though you may never read this. I appreciate all your work and the entertainment you have given.

Mark Burt: Archer demonstrating his ability to affect the game. World-class performance follows a warm-up performance. Phenomenal.

Bravo, Aaron Campbell! since Flintoff, the most intriguing England bowler. Keep the guy active!

Michelle Couldrey It’s wonderful to see @JofraArcher bowling once more. Beautiful.

Kevin Ticehurst: We are seeing the real Jof right here. He has returned!