Steve Harmison thinks Jofra Archer will come out of the series with South Africa a better bowler with the help of James Anderson.
Having become eligible to play for England earlier this year, Barbados-born Archer burst on to the international scene over the summer with sparkling displays at the World Cup and followed it up lethal spells against Australia in The Ashes.
He has since endured a tough time in New Zealand, along with the rest of the seamers, taking just two wickets in two Tests.
But Archer is still only 24 and Harmison reckons playing alongside Anderson – England’s all-time leading wicket-taker – in South Africa will give his career a big boost.
Harmison said: “I think we are (expecting too much). There’s a lot being made of Jofra Archer. A lot of it is down to Jofra Archer and it is his fault because of how he burst on the scene.
“A lot of people are setting goals on him, which are probably unrealistic. I think (James) Anderson being on the pitch will help him to just calm him down in situations, talk him through situations and help him understand what international Test cricket is.
“I think that is where Jofra will get better. He will be a better bowler after South Africa and will be a better bowler for the experience of Sri Lanka.
“Fingers crossed when he gets to England, and hasn’t exerted himself too much in the IPL, he will be a better bowler for the summer.
“I think you have to let Jofra Archer work out for himself how to bowl 20 overs on a first day of a Test match and come out and do it again the next morning and finish the tail off. That comes with doing it and being experienced in playing.
“I have no issues with Archer and I think he will be fine.”
England's tour of South Africa 2019/20
- 1st Test, Centurion – December 26-30
- 2nd Test, Cape Town – January 3-7
- 3rd Test, Port Elizabeth – January 16-20
- 4th Test, Johannesbury – January 24-28
- 1st ODI, Cape Town – February 4
- 2nd ODI, Durban – February 7
- 3rd ODI, Johannesbury – February 9
- 1st T20, East London – February 12
- 2nd T20, Durban – February 14
- 3rd T20, Centurion – February 16
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Harmison also said it would be up to Anderson to manage his own workload in South Africa as he returns from injury, with commentary of the series live on talkSPORT 2.
The 37-year-old limped out of the first Ashes Test with a calf injury after bowling just four overs and he is only just returning to full fitness.
Harmison added: “Jimmy Anderson knows that more than anyone else. Because of the injury and how he got the injury, I don’t think he’d take the risk again and put pressure on the team. He will put pressure on himself.
“Jimmy is old enough, wise enough and ugly enough, to realise he is the only one who knows what his body can take. It is down to Jimmy’s call. I expect him to be fine. He’s the ultimate professional.
“A bowling attack with Jimmy Anderson in is a stronger one than one without him.”
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