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The 'heartbreaking' truth about England quick Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer has been the revelation of the Ashes series for England so far.

The Barbados-born express pace bowler - thrust into England's XI after an injury to James Anderson on the opening day of the first Test - has taken his chance with both hands.

Making his Test debut at Lord's, Archer's blistering pace caused Australia all sorts of headaches in the second Test.

Quite literally for Steve Smith, who copped a brutal Archer short ball to the neck, sparking grave concerns for his wellbeing.

Smith's place is now in doubt for the third Test and Archer's presence is sure to be an intimidating factor that the hosts will try and use to their advantage for the remainder of the series.

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However, the quick should never have even made his debut for England at Lord's.

That's according to former West Indies paceman, Tino Best, who labelled Archer's defection to England as "heartbreaking".

Archer looked set to be among the new breed of West Indian fast bowlers after he was fast-tracked into the under-19s side.

The proud cricketing region has produced some of the greatest Test fast bowlers of all time such as Curtley Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Joe Garner.

However, the quick was dropped for the 2014 World Cup and became disillusioned with the apparent lack of opportunity within his homeland.

Jofra Archer has been a revelation for England in the Ashes series.
Jofra Archer decided to pledge his allegiance to England despite representing the Windies at U/19 level. Pic: Getty

He also criticised the professionalism off the game and lack of infrastructure in his homeland - something Best was no doubt alluding to in his post.

"It's really hard to get a chance in Barbados," Archer told Wisden in March.

"It's either the first team or no team. There's no second XI, there's no academy really. From under 19 you've just got to try and break into the senior team. It's just a long list.

Windies’ loss is England’s gain

Archer revealed that after being shown little interest by national selectors, he opted to try his hand in England.

With an English father and a British passport, Archer joined county club Sussex after making the move in 2015.

The rest as they say, is history.

The 24-year-old has grown from a frightening limited overs fast bowler, to an equally terrifying Test quick, who may well hold the key to England's success over the remaining three Ashes Tests.

England paceman Jofra Archer celebrates a wicket for England at Lord's.
Archer celebrates a wicket for England in the second Ashes Test. Pic: Getty

The World Cup winner produced a hostile and compelling display on debut as the rain-affected second Test ended in a draw at Lord's.

Not only did he take five wickets, he repeatedly unsettled Australia with short-pitched balls.

Teammates back Archer’s ferocious approach

Smith's replacement at Lord's as cricket's first concussion substitute, Marnus Labuschagne, also felt the brunt of Archer's pace when he was then hit flush on the grille of the helmet by another thunderbolt.

All the deliveries are considered a legitimate part of a fast bowler's armoury and allrounder Ben Stokes said Archer had no reason to change his approach in Leeds.

Stokes believes Archer's extra pace can help England overturn a 1-0 deficit in the five-match Ashes series following their 251-run loss in the first Test at Edgbaston.

"Everything is so rhythmical with Jofra it is tough to see when that bouncer is coming," said Stokes.

"There's no 'tell'. He bowled a lot of them, but they don't seem to pick it up.

"He gives another dimension to our bowling attack. The first innings he bowled 29 overs but his last spell of eight was one of the best out-and-out fast bowling spells I have seen since I started playing," he added.

"We've seen (Australia's) Mitchell Johnson do it to us, especially in 2013, but Jofra just makes it look so easy. I'd rather have him on my team than have to face him. He's a frightening talent.

"The sky is the limit for him and he's a great addition to our Test team."

While England lick their lips about Archer's future prospects, the West Indies will be left to lament the one that got away.

With agencies