Archer recalled to England squad for T20 World Cup
PACEMAN JOFRA ARCHER has been recalled to England’s squad for the defence of their T20 World Cup crown after a year out of action.
The 29-year-old, who has endured a string of injuries since his international breakthrough in 2019, has not played competitive cricket for a year but has recovered from a right elbow injury.
He takes his place in a 15-man provisional squad captained by Jos Buttler for the tournament that starts on Jun 1 in the West Indies and the United States.
Archer has managed just 15 T20 appearances for England since making his international debut five years ago but is still considered a potential game-changer.
Another factor in England’s favour is that he grew up in Barbados so is knowledgable about Caribbean conditions.
England begin the defence of the title they won in Australia in 2022 against Scotland in Barbados on Jun 4.
Managing director of England men’s cricket Rob Key said Archer was “desperate” to play on his home island.
“Jofra’s a bowler that is just so special you do everything you can to try to get him back playing and we’ve sort of taken the longer road this time but as always with Jofra, it’s fingers crossed until he’s out there playing,” said Key.
“It’s like when you're waiting for something really good to happen, you don’t quite believe it until he’s there but he’s tracking well at the moment.”