Jofra Archer Determined To Have Ashes Impact
With the Ashes against old rivals Australia fast approaching, England paceman Jofra Archer has revealed his determination to have an impact in the series against the Baggy Greens this summer.
Archer has been working his way back from a frustrating spell on the sidelines with injury and hopes he can impress with the ball in hand in the highly-anticipated Ashes series in the UK.
Archer Eager To Put Injury Woes Behind Him
Injuries are just part of life as a professional fast bowler but it will have been a difficult and lengthy spell for Archer to come through. England, who as of 15th March are +105 in the cricket betting to win the Ashes on home soil this year, will have been somewhat concerned by the bowler’s elbow and back problems. Archer spent 22 months out of the international picture and has slowly been upping his workload in a bid to play some part against the Australians this summer.
Archer has already shown what a weapon he can be in the England bowling attack, having starred in the crucial Super Over for the English in their 2019 World Cup final victory over New Zealand. That iconic moment came before Archer went on to impress in that summer’s Ashes series against the Baggy Greens. Frustratingly for supporters and the man himself, it has been over two years since Archer last played Test cricket for England. Having been unable to prove himself recently in the longest form of the game, Archer has been eager to not get too carried away, suggesting he would be happy to play even one game in this summer’s Ashes.
Archer Knows He Can Shine Against Rivals
While it might take time for Archer to blow off the cobwebs at the Test level and adapt to the white-ball England teams, the 27-year-old is confident he can step up once again to the rigors of the Ashes. Having already been in the heat of the battle against the Aussies before, the seamer has stated the pressure of the matches and the media would be nothing new to him. Archer has admitted the unknown would be his fitness to get through his overs but the England management might well take a chance on him just to get the benefits of his electric bowling pace.
England have confirmed the return of pace bowling coach David Saker ahead of the Ashes, which all gets underway on 16th June for the first Test at Edgbaston. Australian Saker has enjoyed previous success with England’s Test side, having helped them win the 2010-11 Ashes Down Under. Archer will know all about Saker after working with him in England’s white-ball teams and the pair could work wonders together in the upcoming series in the UK.
Archer Can Bring Spark To Bowling Group
Archer will be hoping to get himself in the fast-bowling group at Test level, which is likely to consist of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood. The trio are well established under head coach Brendon McCullum since his arrival in the job last year. Archer has not featured for England in that time at Test level but McCullum and his coaching team will be fully aware of what Archer is capable of. Saker himself has already spoken about the Sussex seamer and says it would be “exciting” if both Archer and Wood were fit and available to take on Australia. Saker also suggested that the English conditions would be a big advantage to his bowling group as they look to overcome an Australia side that has suffered a 2-1 Test series defeat in India this year.
While Archer is eager to not get too carried away with his progress from being out on the sidelines, it’s certainly an exciting time for the player as he gets more and more overs under his belt. After a drawn Test series in New Zealand earlier this year, England could use an extra spark in the fast-bowling department and Archer can provide just that against the Baggy Greens.
If he does remain fit and is given the nod from Test head coach McCullum for selection, then Jofra Archer is certainly a player who on his day can make headlines in the Ashes this summer.
