Jofra Archer's Spell Is The Quickest I've Ever Faced In My Career: Glenn Phillips

New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips showered praise on Jofra Archer, adding that he was the quickest bowler he had faced in his cricketing career. He went on to explain how deadly Archer can be if he goes about his business. After a challenging encounter with Archer on the 1st day of New Zealand A’s fame against England, Phillips, with a beaming smile on his face has reacted to Archer’s bowling skills.

During one deadly spell in the afternoon session, Jofra Archer was at his imperious best in pitching a succession of short balls. Phillips got struck on his body not once but several times and thank god he avoided a blow to the head.“My goodness. That was the quickest I’ve faced in my life. The challenge was unbelievable. He got me on the forearm, he nearly took my head off a couple of times and then he took me on the chest a couple of times,” he added.

Phillips also recalled the Smith-Archer rivalry where Steve Smith got hit a couple of months ago off Jofra Archer’s deadly bowling. “With Steve Smith getting hit a couple of months ago, it [the fear of injury] is in the back of your mind a bit as he’s running in a bit. But he’s not out there in trying to intentionally hurt anyone. It’s more a tactical thing. If you’re watching the ball, hopefully, you should be OK. But if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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“It’s the most fun you can have out there. There’s no point it being easy, especially when a guy is running in trying to take your head off. It might not be his wicket-taking ball, either. So the challenge is to make sure you survive and get out of the spell. The wicket flattened out quite nicely in the end so it was good to bat on. It was a lot of fun,” he said.

This isn’t the first time that Phillips and Archer went one on one against each other as previously an interesting tale between the two was witnessed. Three years ago, when Archer was just starting to sneak into the Sussex Second XI, Phillips was plying his trade for MCC Young Cricketers.

At that time, Phillips scored 24 in the first innings and he followed it up with 43 in the second. However, Archer had a hard time with the ball as he couldn’t dismiss him on either occasion.

“He was all over me back then, too. He’s was probably as quick then as he is now, but there’s more spotlight on him now so people are understanding just how quick he is. What advice would I give to the New Zealand team if they ask? Just watch the ball as hard as you can. Like any bowler, he does give you bad balls. But he’s very accurate with his short-ball plan,” Phillips added.

Kane Williamson returns for the two-match Test series and New Zealand will be looking forward to sealing the big deal when they take on England on November 21 at Bay Oval.

Just 56 seconds of Jofra Archer firing it in to Glenn Phillips and Co in Whangarei ?https://t.co/HMuDS1BSty | #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/6AAA7Q9QAs

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 15, 2019