Jofra Archer riles South Africa as England struggle to stay in the game

Archer was bowling to nightwatchman Anrich Nortje late on a difficult second day for the tourists in Centurion – they closed 175 behind with six second-innings wickets still to take after being bowled out for 181 – when he sent down successive high full tosses.

Neither delivery was propelled at the breakneck pace Archer is capable of, with both appearing to be botched variations on his slower ‘knuckle ball’, but Nortje was visibly rattled as he twice collapsed to the turf to avoid being struck.

The first was called as a no-ball and had the second been treated similarly, Archer would not have been able to bowl again in the match.

Square-leg umpire Paul Reiffel made the no-ball signal after the second delivery, which passed just over the stumps but went past Nortje at a greater elevation, though the standing umpire Chris Gaffaney did not call it.

There was on-field confusion in the moment and animated scenes on the South Africa balcony, with the home side clearly unhappy about Nortje’s treatment.

Match referee Andy Pycroft is understood to have spoken to England captain Joe Root about the incident and Archer is cleared to continue on day three, albeit under greater scrutiny.

Philander had earlier bowled outstandingly as he claimed 4-16 and was just as uncompromising as he assessed the drama surrounding his fellow paceman.

“The umpires have to deal with it and make the right call,” he said.

“I suppose if you’re at square leg and you call ‘no-ball’ you’ve got to stand your ground. At no time did they actually cancel it (Reiffel’s signal).