ARCHER’S READY TO TAKE ON THE WORL
JOFRA BELIEVES PLAYING IN THE IPL WILL HELP HIM BECOME AN ENGLAND STAR
JOFRA ARCHER insists his Indian Premier League experience will help him take the World Cup in his stride after he was confirmed in England’s squad yesterday.
The Sussex paceman was named in Eoin Morgan’s 15-man party after impressing in a live audition in the recent series against Pakistan.
As his place was confirmed, leftarm spinner Liam Dawson also got the nod, with David Willey and Joe Denly the unlucky pair to miss out on England’s home tournament.
Archer’s raw pace and star quality have left the selectors in no doubt he is a player to be excited about as they prepare to unleash him on the biggest stage.
And the 24-year-old has no qualms about stepping up despite his limited 50-over experience – just three ODIs and 17 List A games – after thriving in the pressure cooker of the IPL.
Archer is fresh from a stint with the Rajasthan Royals and said: ‘I think it probably has given me a bigger advantage over some of the other guys in our team.
‘We play them (big names) twice in the IPL, you know their weaknesses, strengths, if they can’t run between the wickets, you get extra bits of inside information. I think international cricket is the same intensity as the IPL, the only thing that’s changed is the amount of overs. It’s different, but it still isn’t different.’
Hailed as an ‘outstanding talent’ by national selector Ed Smith, Archer is delighted to get the nod.
‘I think I’m ready. I’ve played a lot of cricket, I know how to deal with pressure, crowds, I think I’m ready, obviously because of that [IPL] cricket. That was the reason I wasn’t able to play much List A for Sussex. You don’t forget how to bowl.’
Barbados-born but with an English father and British passport, Archer is available after three years in county cricket rather than seven after laws were changed.
He said: ‘It is really exciting to be part of a big summer for English cricket. I’d put it in my head I’d have to wait seven years. Back in December they changed it a little but I was always prepared to wait.’
Before his call-up, there were concerns about how it could affect a settled squad. But he said: ‘Everyone welcomed me with open arms from the moment I got in, it’s a really good team to be part of, great team, captain, support staff.’
Meanwhile captain Eoin Morgan will carry a message of ‘ no regrets’ into a World Cup campaign he would happily start tomorrow.
‘There’s absolutely no regrets, we’re positioned in the best possible place at the moment,’ he said.
‘We’d like to start tomorrow. Everyone just wants to get on with it.’