IT took just six balls delivered at a trundling medium-pace for Englands worst fears about Jofra Archer to be confirmed.
He is out of the Third Test, maybe out of the series and questions persist whether his mind and body can cope with the demands of five-day cricket.
With Archer injured, England are today ready to unleash Mark Wood for his first match since the World Cup final on July 14.
It would be Woods first Test since he destroyed West Indies in St Lucia last February with the fastest spell by an England bowler since Devon Malcolm scared the life out the Aussies at the Oval in 1993.
That spell by Malcolm was quicker than when he took 9-57 against South Africa at The Oval the following year.
Woods X-Factor potential has placed him ahead of the reliable Chris Woakes as England seek a replacement for James Anderson, who has a broken rib.
Archer was the obvious substitute for Anderson but his elbow injury has not recovered and it is becoming a longer-term worry.
The Sussex speedster bowled half-a-dozen balls in the nets yesterday before a long chat with doc Anita Biswas and physio Craig de Weymarn.
He then received a consoling pat on the shoulder from head coach Chris Silverwood.
Archer tried to bowl again 30 minutes later but aborted the attempt after a few balls of around 75mph before returning to the dressing room.
So Archers recurring right elbow problem keeps him out for a second successive match and he must already be a doubt for the Fourth Test in Johannesburg on January 24.
WHAT UP, JOF?
The fact is that Archer has not been able to recapture the speed and hostility of his memorable spells to Steve Smith at Lords last summer and Matthew Wade at The Oval.
His pace has been down and England dont know why.
Is it his elbow injury? Has he been over-bowled? Maybe a lack of rhythm? Perhaps the Kookaburra ball?
Or is Archer simply finding it difficult to focus and commit to the rigours of a Test match?
Captain Joe Root admitted all winter that England are still getting to know Archer and what makes him tick.
He wants him to bowl at 90mph and becomes frustrated when it doesnt happen. Root said: If Jofra is fit and raring to go, you want him in your side.
But you want to make sure hes 100 per cent ready and can deliver all his skills not just seam and swing but 90 mph, too.
The thing with Jofra is that hes 24. Hes right at the start of his career.
He has a huge amount of ability and, in seven Tests, has three five-wicket hauls. Its clear to see what hes capable of. But managing workloads is important.
Hes played a huge amount of cricket since coming into the international arena and weve seen a little pushback from his body with the elbow injury.
“We have to look after him and think of his career as well as trying to win this series.
It might be that Archer sometimes looks different remember how he tied his sweater round his waist while fielding at Old Trafford last summer but there should be only one consideration when he is fit.
Is he worth his place in the team? The answer is surely “yes” and, in the way Kevin Pietersen played 104 Tests despite upsetting plenty around the dressing-room, England should be able to handle complicated characters.
Root added: I think the difference in managing Jofra is managing expectations for him.
Hes come into international cricket off the back of some brilliant domestic Twenty20 cricket. His reputation was made in the IPL and Big Bash.
He came into Tests with a reputation of the standard of Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad. People were matching him with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc.
These guys have played a lot of Test cricket and are very experienced. For Jofra, its about understanding hes young and hell pick up things every game.
Hes shown in white-ball cricket that hes a fast learner and we have to give him that opportunity in Test cricket.
One of the beauties of our white-ball team that won the World Cup was its diversity and how that can bring a side together. Thats something we should embrace.
With Jack Leach flying home today, Dom Bess stays as the spinner, while the Proteas are likely to be unchanged.
