Jofra Archer's spell was fastest I've seen, says Chris Woakes

SAM MORSHEAD AT LORD'S: Archer's stint with ball in hand after lunch featured 29 deliveries in excess of 90mph, including 16 in succession around the time when he struck Steve Smith on the forearm, glove and back of the neck

Chris Woakes heralded Jofra Archer's remarkable spell of pace bowling as the fastest he has ever seen after an extraordinary day of Test cricket at Lord's.

Archer's stint with ball in hand after lunch featured 29 deliveries in excess of 90mph, including 16 in succession around the time when he struck Steve Smith on the forearm, glove and back of the neck - briefly forcing him from the field.

Woakes was watching on from fine leg for much of the spell but he was still closer than most to the action and believes he has never seen faster.

"You see quick bowling around the world but that was a prolonged spell of fast bowling, I don't know the average but he was up around there every ball," the allrounder said.

"You could tell is was special, the crowd were certainly behind every ball. Everyone was watching.

"It was pretty special to be a part of. I have't been on the field when someone has bowled that fast consistently.

^{Jofra Archer and Steve Smith were engaged in a fascinating battle}

"He certainly saved me trying to bowl bouncers at 82mph. It's special to have someone in the team to bowl that kind of pace.

"On flat wickets when you need something special, it's important you have that point of difference. Jofra has shown what he can do, to do that on Test debut and get bums off their seats is very special. It’s nice to have a guy like that on your side."

Smith was the centre of concern from most of the ground when he was floored by Archer. He received on-field treatment and underwent subsequent concussion assessments before he was allowed to return.

Woakes said of the blow which brought Australia's best batsman to the turf: "You get a feel from the noise more than anything - you could hear it was fleshy, around the neck, and when that's the case you worry as a player.

"Guys close in to the action, Jos was at short-leg, he knew straight awat and went to check. That was nice to see and check he was okay.

"It was a serious spell, serious pace. Incredible to watch and thankfully having seen Steve on the balcony, he seems okay."

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