Jofra Archer proved he had the fitness, form and firepower to spearhead England as they opened their Twenty20 series against India with a superb win, but the pace ace admitted his troublesome right elbow was still holding him back.
Archer missed two matches in the recent Test series due to recurring pain in the joint.
Still, he was more than able to make his presence felt across four high-class overs in Ahmedabad on Friday, taking 3-23 as India were kept to a modest 7-124.
That was nowhere near enough to hold back the tourists, for whom Jason Roy top-scored with 49 in a regulation eight-wicket victory.
Player of the match Archer, starting in the powerplay and finishing off at the business end of the India innings, did not concede a run from 16 of his 24 deliveries and got the best of KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur along the way.
"I'm just glad to help in a win to be honest. When the competition's tough you have to step up," he said.
"It brings out the best in me. If get one or I get three, the way I bowl doesn't change, it just depends on how your luck is at the time."
England know that Archer has a good deal more than luck to offer as they build towards their twin goals of the T20 World Cup and the Ashes tour later this year.
But it is almost certain that his elbow will require further careful management and he was clear that his strong performance on Friday was not the result of any wondrous overnight recovery.
Asked how it felt after his exertions, he said: "Same as it has been since we got to India.
"I need to take care of my elbow before I think about what is going to happen.
"For me, in the immediate, I want to get through this series and then I will do everything in my power to make sure I'm going to the World Cup and the Ashes."
It was telling that he appeared ready to concede his once fiercely-guarded pace rivalry with team-mate Mark Wood, though.
The latter cleared 93mph and was consistently rapid as he took 1-20 in a stirring middle-overs role.
"I still try to outpace him but I don't think I am in the best position to do it at the moment," Archer said with a smile.
Australian Associated Press
