On a day when Jos Buttler crackled with the bat and regular wickets derailed Pakistan’s run chase, the biggest plus for England at the start of their T20 World Cup buildup was an unscathed return for Jofra Archer, 62 weeks since his last cap.
It has been a tortured road back for Archer, a long-standing battle with elbow stress fractures leading him to question whether another setback could be overcome. Playing a full part on the field was the first box to be ticked and, as England defended their 183 for seven for a 23-run win and a 1-0 lead, the Sharpie could come out of the pot.
