There were smiles after the wicket.
It's been over a year since Jofra Archer last pulled on an England shirt, and four years since he last played at home for his country, and the fast bowler has been able to enjoy the feel of an international scalp once again.
Joy was etched all over the paceman's face when Pakistan's Azam Khan hit one of his many deliveries at over 90mph to Moeen Ali at cover from cover as Pakistan's Azam Khan started his second over at Edgbaston.
His teammates were equally delighted. England supporters would have been delighted too.
Archer took 2-28 in the second T20 against Pakistan in Birmingham.
After a terrible performance due to back and elbow problems, one of the world's best bowlers is back. With Archer in tow, the chances of Jos Buttler's side successfully retaining the T20 World Cup next month have improved significantly.
They added the X-Factor, a bowler who can be used in all phases of the game.
Of course, as Archer said, we shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves. sky sports Prior to Saturday's second T20, an injury-prone period in his career meant he had to work “game by game”.
Buttler expressed similar sentiments in his post-match presentation. “Jofra has been great, but she needs to temper those expectations because she won’t be the same straight away.”
But as the game progressed, this was a great example of the quality he brought.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking to Sky Sports' Eoin Morgan ahead of the first T20 match against Pakistan, Archer explained the draining nature of his rehabilitation.
The first was the bat. Archer took four and hit a six in England's final innings. But then it came down to his stronger suit: bowling.
It's a skill that helped his team secure the 50-over World Cup title in 2019 and romp Australia during that year's reunion. The technology, Sam Curran said earlier this week, gives teams a “fear factor”. It's a skill England sorely missed during their disastrous 50-over fielding at the World Cup in India last autumn.
Archer impressed after difficult rehabilitation
Archer's first over against Pakistan may have been whipped for 15 seconds, but his first ball was a cracker.
There was pace, there was movement and it led to a polite block from Babar Azam followed by carnage with boundaries being smashed on three of the next four deliveries.
Archer conceded just 13 runs in the next three overs. But he conceded just 13 runs in the next over, mixing fast bouncers and yorkers with cutters and slow balls, catching Azam Khan with a fast ball and Imad with a attempted yorker early in the 11th over. Low full toss midway through the 18th.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Archer caught Pakistan's Azam Khan at cover as he took his first England wicket for 14 months.
The game was still somewhat in the balance when he bowled in the 15th over with Pakistan requiring 65 off 35 balls, but he made their task more difficult by delivering just five singles. He then largely extinguished the tourists' hopes with a seven-run, one-wicket 18th over. Another smile.
“I think the hardest part of rehabilitation was the routine,” Archer told the former England captain. sky sports Speaking ahead of an encouraging comeback at Edgbaston, pundit Eoin Morgan said:
“It was the same thing every day. I went to the gym and went for a run every few days. The constant robotic nature of things made me feel like a hamster on a wheel. But now that I'm back, I have to say it was worth it. People again. It was really refreshing to be with you.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of Archer taking the second wicket and Jos Buttler hitting 84 in England's 23-run win over Pakistan in the second T20
And Archer's teammates are clearly excited to have him with them once again.
England vice-captain Moyne said: “It's amazing to have Joffe back, not only as a player but as a person.” Sky Sports.
“He's good, composed and knows what he wants to do. His bowling has gone to another level and we hope we can keep him for the rest of his career.”
After all they've been through, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone not smiling at Archer's triumphant return to England. But if he stays fit and continues to bowl like he did on Saturday, the smiles may soon be wiped off the faces of his opposition batsmen.
Instead, you may see an expression of fear.
What are your future plans?
Tuesday, May 28th at 6pm
England and Pakistan will play two more T20 internationals before the T20 World Cup. Both games at Cardiff on Tuesday and Kia Oval on Thursday kick off at 6.30pm.
England's T20 World Cup opener is against Scotland in Barbados on Tuesday 4 June (kick-off 3.30pm), while Pakistan play co-hosts USA in Dallas on Thursday 6 July (4.30pm) .
Stream cricket and other sports with NOW, with monthly and daily memberships available. There is no contract, so you can cancel at any time.
