DURHAM — Jofra Archer marked his long-awaited return to County Championship cricket with a crucial wicket for Sussex against Durham, but the hosts fought back strongly on an eventful opening day at Seat Unique Riverside.
The England fast bowler, playing his first red-ball match for Sussex in over four years, struck early to remove Durham opener Alex Lees for 12. However, Durham recovered through a composed century from David Bedingham (112*) and an unbeaten 89 from Ollie Robinson, finishing the day on 278/4. Archer, bowling in short bursts as he manages his workload, ended with figures of 1/41 from 13 overs.
Archer’s Emotional Return
Archer’s last County Championship appearance for Sussex came in April 2019, before his rapid ascent to international stardom. Since then, a series of injuries—including a stress fracture in his back and recurring elbow issues—have kept him sidelined for long periods. His return was met with anticipation, and he did not disappoint, generating sharp pace and movement early on.
Sussex captain Tom Haines said after the day’s play: "It’s fantastic to have Jofra back. He brings so much to the team, not just with the ball but also his presence. That first spell was exactly what we needed—he looked dangerous straight away."
Durham’s Strong Response
After Archer’s early breakthrough, Durham steadied themselves through a 98-run partnership between Bedingham and Scott Borthwick (45). Sussex’s attack, featuring Ollie Robinson and Jack Carson, struggled to maintain consistent pressure, allowing the hosts to build momentum.
Key moments in Durham’s fightback:
- Bedingham’s patient century, his third of the season, anchoring the innings
- Ollie Robinson’s aggressive 89*, including 12 boundaries
- Sussex’s missed chances—two dropped catches in the final session
Archer’s Fitness Watch
Archer bowled in three separate spells, with Sussex carefully managing his workload ahead of England’s Test series against West Indies next month. His fastest delivery clocked 88.5 mph, a promising sign for England fans hoping to see him back at full fitness.
Durham’s Bedingham, who faced Archer during his spell, noted: "He’s still got that extra bit of pace and bounce. You can tell he’s working his way back, but he’s going to be a handful once he’s fully up to speed."
What’s Next?
With Durham well-placed at 278/4, Sussex will need early wickets on Day 2 to restrict the hosts. Archer is expected to bowl another 10-12 overs across the day, with his performance closely monitored by England’s coaching staff.
Sussex coach Paul Farbrace remained optimistic: "Jofra’s wicket was a big moment, and we know he’ll only get better as he bowls more. The pitch is good for batting, but if we can break this partnership early, we’re right back in it."
The match continues to draw significant attention, not just for its cricketing stakes but as a critical step in Archer’s journey back to full fitness. With the T20 World Cup and Ashes on the horizon, England will be hoping this is the start of a sustained return for their star fast bowler.
For Durham, the focus remains on building a commanding first-innings total. Bedingham and Robinson’s partnership, already worth 142*, could prove decisive in setting up a potential victory push later in the match.
Day 1 summary:
- Durham: 278/4 (Bedingham 112*, Robinson 89*)
- Sussex bowling: Archer 1/41, Robinson 1/52, Carson 1/68
- Key moment: Archer’s early wicket of Lees, raising hopes of a Sussex fightback
As the match progresses, all eyes will remain on Archer’s fitness and form. His return, albeit cautious, has already provided a glimpse of the impact he can make—both for Sussex and, potentially, for England in the near future.