England World Cupwin:itwas made in Sussex
The rise and rise Jofra Archer – who has gone from playing in the Sussex League to bowling England to their first one-day World Cup – is nothing short of remarkable. If it were a film script, you’d say it was too farfetched.
The Barbados-born fast bowler took 1-42 off his 10 overs as England restricted New Zealand to 241/8 in the final at Lord’s on Sunday.
However, England’s reply went awry before brilliance from Ben Stokes took the game to a super over.
England scored 15 in their six balls before Archer – only a few weeks after first playing for England – was given the ball for New Zealand’s reply.
He started poorly, and a huge six by James Neesham meant the game was back with New Zealand.
However, the Sussex bowler showed just how good he is, not to mention cool under pressure, as he tightened up his bowling to concede only four off his last three balls – and, with the help of superb fielding from his teammates, win the World Cup for England. Pressure, what pressure?first My experience of Archer was watching highlights of a Royal London One Day Cup of a game between Sussex and Somerset in 2016.
Without a number on his shirt he bowled with raw pace, yet was very controlled. He also smacked the ball a mile when batting. By then he was known in Sussex League circles, having impressed for Horsham and Middleton.
At the time I thought he could be a huge talent for the future. A year later, after impressing for Sussex, he appeared on the radar again but this time in Australia, playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash.
Because of his unknown reputation, his arrival wasn’t greeted with the greatest response by Hobart fans with comments on their Facebook pages saying the franchise had lost the plot with his signing.
He went on to take 16 wickets at an average of 23.06 as the Hurricanes reached the final but were defeated by the Adelaide Strikers.
Archer became a fan favourite with the Hobart faithful, as he told the Hobart Hurricanes website: “It means a lot. Whenever you go down the street, everyone is saying ‘well bowled’ or ‘nice catch’, which is heart-warming.”
After his successful season with the Hurricanes, he signed a new two-year contract with the franchise, taking 18 wickets in BBL08 the following season. He has since taken his talents in other T20 leagues around the world playing alongside future England team-mates Jos Buttler and Stokes in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals and playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League.
Archer brought his superb form back to Sussex, impressing in the 2018 Vitality T20 Blast taking 22 wickets as Sussex reached the final – but Archer suffered another agonising defeat as Sussex were beaten by Worcestershire.
He was kept by Rajasthan Royals for the 2019 IPL and then Archer got his England breakthrough, called up to Eoin Morgan’s one-day squad for games with Ireland and Pakistan following changes to residency rules.
He didn’t make the preliminary World Cup squad but was added – a superb decision as Archer finished as the third top wicket-taker in the tournament.
But it’s the Super Over that won England the World Cup that he will be remembered for – a key role in the most memorable of days for English cricket. There is plenty to come for England’s latest star – with an Ashes call-up possibly awaiting him. But for now, he can enjoy the feeling of being an England hero. Jofra Archer dismisses Matt Henry as New Zealand look to post a winning score