During the 2019 Ashes series, a significant controversy emerged regarding Joe Root’s handling of Jofra Archer’s workload. In the Lord’s Test, Archer bowled 44 overs in his debut Test match, including an intense spell where he bowled consistently above 90mph and struck Steve Smith on the neck, forcing him to retire hurt and miss the next Test with concussion.
At Headingley, Root had Archer bowl 42 overs despite visible signs of fatigue. The controversy peaked when Archer appeared to be struggling with his pace and showed physical discomfort, yet continued to bowl long spells.
In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Archer’s pace noticeably dropped, and he bowled 48 overs despite appearing to struggle physically. Cricket pundits and former players criticized Root’s management, suggesting he was risking Archer’s long-term fitness by overbowling him.
Short-Term Gains
The debate centered on the balance between trying to win the Ashes and protecting a young fast bowler’s career. Critics argued that Root, under pressure to level the series, prioritized short-term gains over Archer’s wellbeing.
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Over the five Tests, Archer bowled 156 overs – an extremely heavy workload for a fast bowler who had only recently entered international cricket. This period is often cited as the beginning of Archer’s injury troubles, which later included serious elbow problems and a stress fracture of the back that significantly impacted his career.
The controversy led to broader discussions about fast bowler workload management in Test cricket and the responsibility of captains to protect their players’ long-term health. The series was drawn at 2-2 with Jofra Archer clinching 22 wickets in the series, including a six-wicket haul in the third Test.
