Jordan: My star Archer is real deal

THE man responsible for bringing Jofra archer into English cricket believes the hottest young property in the world game can live up to the hype and go on to have an outstanding international career.

Chris Jordan trod an identical path to the one facing his fellow Barbadian in qualifying for England and believes his protege will be well worth the wait when he becomes eligible for his father’s country in 2022.

archer, 22, has made a huge impression since Jordan recommended him to Sussex and has just been recruited by Rajasthan Royals of the Indian Premier League for £800,000 after a breakthrough Big Bash campaign with hobart. and Jordan believes it is just the start for a cricketer who can bowl at more than 90 miles per hour, hit the ball long and field with rare athleticism.

‘I go back to see my family most years and I also played as an overseas player for Barbados in the first- class tournament,’ said Jordan ahead of today’s second twenty20 tri- series international against australia.

‘So I did a lot of training with him from when he was 16 and saw the potential. I had a chat with Sussex about getting him over and they thought it was a great idea. the rest is history.’

archer (right) could play international cricket for his native West Indies now but has elected, just like Jordan did, to wait until he can represent England, a decision his mentor believes he is entitled to make.

‘What a lot of people don’t know is that he’s never had a Barbados passport, he’s only ever had a British one,’ said Jordan. ‘he has as much right as anyone to play for England.’

the worry, with so many twenty20 leagues competing for his services, is that archer might not hang around for international cricket. he could make millions from twenty20 without committing himself to the 210 days a year he must spend in England over the next four years to qualify on residential grounds.

But Jordan insisted: ‘he has that desire to play for England. he says it himself. You can ask him. he can only stay in the present and at the moment, in terms of high-level cricket, franchises can provide opportunities for him.

‘But by the time he is able to play international cricket he’ll be hardened and know his game even better. he can come on the England scene and flourish.

‘he was made for the big stage. I’m not surprised at how well he has done with his talent and competitive nature and we have only really seen it with the ball so far. the kid can bat as well.

‘I just think people need to remember he’s 22. he’s still learning his game and he can make mistakes. I just don’t want too much expectation on him but that will come. how he deals with that will determine his future. at present he’s doing a brilliant job

handling it.’