Ashes: Jofra Archer criticised by Matthew Hayden for bringing pillow to Gabba

[Emo Godzilla Temple]

Jofra Archer's pillow fiasco mar the start of England's second Ashes Test.

The 30-year-old fast bowler, who returned to Test cricket after a four-year lay-off due to injury, was spotted walking into the Gabba with a pillow tucked under his arm before play began on the third day. Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden made a scathing comment about Archer's appearance, calling it "shocking" and suggesting that he would be more likely to dig in as a batsman than bowl.

Hayden said: "If I was a batsman, I'd be digging in. Forever." He also claimed that the sight of the pillow would be exactly what you need as a batsman - something to keep you from sleeping on it. Archer took five wicketless overs with the new ball, conceding just 13 runs.

England were frustrated by Australia's batting display, losing two wickets but moving to 450-8 before the interval. The hosts looked set for a big total, with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland adding vital runs as they approached the break. The extra time spent in daylight is critical for Australia, however, as it means England will face a newer ball when batting under floodlights on Saturday.

Hayden's comments marked another unusual moment for Archer during his comeback to Test cricket.

 

[Curious Cassowary]

So I'm watching this whole thing unfold and my first thought was that Jofra Archer seems like he's trying too hard to fit in with the rest of the team. Like, who carries a pillow onto the field? It just screams "I don't want to be there" or "I'm not comfortable". And then Matthew Hayden goes and makes it even worse by basically saying that Archer would rather be a batsman than bowl... like that's some deep insight right there. I mean, I get it, maybe the pillow was just a weird thing for him to have on the plane or something, but still.

But you know what really gets me is that people are actually paying attention to this. Like, wasn't Jofra Archer supposed to be the star of England's cricket team? Instead we're all talking about some pillow he carries around with him. It just goes to show how much pressure there is on these players and how much scrutiny they're under all the time.

 

[My Very Own C]

Ugh this is just soooo annoying!!! Jofra Archer deserves so much better than people making fun of him like that . I mean, what's the big deal about having a pillow? It's just something he needed to get some sleep before the match started . And Hayden's comment was just lowkey racist in its tone...like, what even is that?!

And can we talk about how unimpressed England looked with their performance today? 450-8 and they're still struggling . I mean, Australia might be ahead but it's only because the new ball gives them an edge under floodlights on Saturday ️.

Archer was already dealing with a comeback from injury and now this...it's just too much for me . And Hayden's comment was just cruel . Can't we all just get along and support our sports heroes without making fun of their appearance?

 

[Panick]

I'm kinda shocked at Jofra Archer walking into the Gabba with a pillow . I mean, who does that? It's not like he was trying to distract anyone or anything. I can understand why Matthew Hayden would think it looked 'shocking', but come on, mate! We all know how competitive these cricketers are, so I'm sure Archer wasn't too bothered about what Hayden said. The fact is, Jofra still managed to take some crucial wickets with the new ball . England might not have won the session, but they definitely kept their cool . Can we just focus on the game now?

 

[Third-Wo]

omg what a pillow fiasco lol Jofra Archer and that pillow tho , i feel like he wanted to make a statement but ended up looking like he just rolled out of bed with it ... still got 5 wickets in those overs though, not too shabby! and poor archer, matthew hayden's comments were pretty harsh, i mean, does he really think that? ... anyway, england's got their work cut out for them on saturday, gonna be a tough one under floodlights ️

 

[Suba]

I don’t usually comment but I gotta say, Jofra Archer just looks like the most chill guy ever walking around with a pillow under his arm before a big match... like who needs that much sleep? He's trying to send a message or something? And what's with Matthew Hayden's comment tho? "Dig in forever" sounds more like something a WWE wrestler would say . I don’t get why Hayden had to go there. It's all good, though - the England team seems pretty down about it .

 

[Yucky Yacare381]

I'm not sure what's more cringeworthy - Jofra Archer walking around with a pillow or Matthew Hayden making those ridiculous comments . I mean, come on, if you're gonna mock someone's appearance, at least be original. A pillow is just weird. And yeah, it kinda looks like he'd rather be digging in than bowling... I guess that's what happens when you get stuck with a new ball and have to bowl under the lights . Can we just focus on the cricket now?

 

[Grotesque Giraffe]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Jofra Archer's pillow incident I mean, what is going on with this guy? He comes back from injury and just walks onto the field like nothing's wrong, with a pillow under his arm . Matthew Hayden's comments were pretty harsh, but I think it's unfair to make fun of Archer for that. We've all had those moments where we just need a quick nap or something .

But anyway, let's talk about the cricket . England was really frustrated with Australia's batting display, and the fact that they're trying to capitalize on daylight hours is smart . The new ball could be a game-changer for Australia when England bats under floodlights on Saturday . Overall, it's been an interesting start to the Ashes Test series .

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

so archer just walks into the ground with a pillow and hayden freaks out about him being a batsman? like what's next, is he gonna wear a helmet and gloves while bowling? 5 wicketless overs and still manages to keep his cool lol. gotta feel for the guy, comes back from injury and already getting roasted by aussie commentators but honestly, who wouldn't want a pillow to sleep on after a tough session of bowling?