The Ghost of Lord's 2019 Looms Large
For many English cricket fans, the memory of Jofra Archer's fiery spell at Lord's in 2019 remains vivid. The sight of the speedster flooring Steve Smith with a thunderous bouncer, and then greeting his concussion substitute, Marnus Labuschagne, with another missile to the helmet grille, is etched into Ashes folklore. However, former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson warns that living in the past will not help England reclaim the urn this summer.
Johnson points out a crucial, and often overlooked, fact from that famous encounter: Archer never actually claimed Smith's wicket. The Australian batsman was forced to retire hurt due to concussion, but he was not dismissed. Johnson emphasises that the best players, like Smith and Labuschagne, use such intense contests to sharpen their skills, not retreat from them.
The Reality of Archer's Test Career
Since his debut over six years ago, Archer's Test career has been severely hampered by injuries. He has played only 14 more Tests and just two in the past four years. Despite this limited output, the conversation around him often makes it sound as if he's a seasoned veteran with a hundred caps to his name.
Consistency, not sporadic highlights, is the currency of Test cricket, and this is where Johnson sees a potential weakness for England. The now 30-year-old Archer, along with his pace partner Mark Wood, will be desperate to prove their worth in the first Test in Perth. Both bowlers are undeniably quick and possess the 'X-factor' England needs, but their fragility is a well-known concern.
England's Ashes Hinge on Fitness and Fire
Johnson believes England's entire Ashes campaign rests on the fitness of Wood and Archer. For England to have any chance of winning in Australian conditions, this pace duo must stay fit, stay fast, and stay relentless across five brutal Test matches. While the Australian top order will be respectful of their pace, Johnson doubts they will be fearful.
He expresses admiration for Wood's wholehearted approach, noting his skiddy pace and big heart. However, Johnson stresses that bowling in partnerships is what makes an attack truly formidable. He points to Australia's trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland as the gold standard—each bowler knows his role and complements the others to create unrelenting pressure.
Johnson is sceptical that England will risk playing both Wood and Archer in every Test, with rotation a likely strategy. "If you want to win in Australia, you need your best and quickest bowlers on the park, every match," he argues. "It’s the Ashes, there’s no room for half measures."
The Ultimate Test: Australian Conditions
The Australian summer presents a unique challenge for fast bowlers. The conditions demand a different length, with less swing on offer and a greater emphasis on extracting bounce from hard pitches. The physical toll is immense—the heat, the rock-hard surfaces, and the grind of a five-Test series will test the durability of Wood and Archer like never before.
Johnson recalls his own physical battles, including cramps at the Gabba, and highlights the inexperience of England's supporting bowlers in these conditions. For the sake of the spectacle, Johnson hopes both speedsters can stay on the park. A full-strength England, with its fastest bowlers firing, is what brings out the best in Australia and creates the kind of epic, old-school Ashes battle that fans crave.
