Jofra Archer made a successful return to competitive cricket with a wicket maiden in his first over after 18 months out injured.
Playing for Mumbai Indians Cape Town (MICT) in the inaugural edition of the Betway SA20, South Africa’s new T20 league, Archer finished with figures of 3-27 in four overs against Paar Royals, including two wickets in two balls.
Royals ended with 142-7 from their 20 overs, led by Jos Butler’s 51 from 42 balls.
In response, promising South African cricketer Dewald Brevis continued his meteoric rise in white ball cricket by smashing 70 not out to seal an easy eight-wicket win over Paar Royals with 27 balls to spare in the competition’s first match. His 90-run opening stand with Ryan Rickleton was key to the chase.
Archer’s next appearance for MICT is on Friday against Durban SuperGiants.
He was named as part of England’s One Day International 14-man squad which is set to face South Africa later this month. He last played an international match in March 2021 on England’s T2OI tour of India.
Summarised scores: Paar Royals 142-7 in 20 overs (Jos Butler 51, David Miller 42; Archer 3-27). Mumbai Indians Cape Town 143-2 in 15.3 overs (Dewald Brevis 70*, Ryan Rickleton 42; Ramon Simmonds 1-32). Mumbai Indians won by 8 wickets.
