Jofra Archer has received another major accolade – amid words of warning for his critics.
The Sussex and England fast bowler is one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
His selection rewards a stunning summer in which he made his England debut, helped them win the World Cup and then shone in the Ashes.
Wisden Almanack editor Lawrence Booth described the atmosphere as “electric” when Archer bowled to Australia captain Steve Smith during the Lord’s Test.
But, in his editor’s notes, he also picked up on attitudes towards Archer when he was less hostile in the following contest in Manchester.
Booth told TalkSPORT radio: “I talked about unconscious bias.
“When Jofra was winning England the World Cup and knocking over Steve Smith, he was a national hero.
“But, when he dared to bowl at slower than 88mph on a very windy, cold morning at Old Trafford, the cliches started to come out.
“He was ‘laidback’, he was ‘cold’.
“He is a natural athlete so why wasn’t he bowling at 95mph?
“It was a call for people to be a bit more careful about the language they use because it is sometimes a bit more loaded than they realise.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here