Jordan would love to get the chance to emulate pal Archer
Chris Jordan would relish the opportunity to emulate great friend Jofra Archer and bowl a Super Over that inspires England to World Cup glory.
Archer wrote himself into England folklore in the 2019 50-over World Cup final against New Zealand, who were beaten on boundary countback after tied scores in the regulation ODI and the six-ball shootout.
Should he be selected in today’s T20 World Cup final against Pakistan at the MCG, Jordan insisted he would instantly raise his hand to bowl the Super Over if the tournament showpiece was decided that way.
Jordan has some form in this regard, having been selected for the additional allotment against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2015 and New Zealand in Auckland in 2019 – helping England to victory in both.
“I bowled the first Super Over ever for England in international cricket in Sharjah and I bowled another in Auckland as well,” he said. “I have a 100% record so far – I want to keep it up.”
Archer is on the road to recovery after longterm elbow trouble was compounded by a stress fracture in his lower back, ruling him out of the entire English summer programme and this World Cup.
He has not played cricket since July last year but is currently part of an England Lions training camp in the United Arab Emirates.
Archer may even feature in a practice match against England later this month and Jordan revealed his former Sussex team-mate is eagerly anticipating a return.
“We speak every day so we obviously developed a bit with everything that’s going on with each other,” Jordan said. “It’s just general chitchat. As everyone knows, he’s family to me.
“He’s obviously wishing me well and wishing the team well. He himself is chomping at the bit and can’t wait to get back out there and put that England shirt on.”
Jordan was thrust into his first outing of this World Cup in the semi-final because of Mark Wood’s hip injury and took three wickets as he operated in the closing overs.
His breakthroughs helped restrict India to 168 for six before England produced the performance of their campaign to seize an astonishing 10-wicket victory and set up a showdown against Babar Azam’s side.
“Having not bowled a ball wasn’t ideal,” Jordan said. “I just tried to draw on my previous experiences and I guess being involved in the group over the last few weeks and the positivity and everything.
“I felt like I’ve been bowling well in the nets and really getting my workloads up and stuff. So I just was prepared to do whatever job the team required on the day.”
Jordan took nought for 36 in the 2016 final against the West Indies, conceding eight in the penultimate over before Carlos Brathwaite delivered a stunning coup de grace to Ben Stokes to down England.
Jordan seems likeliest to make way if Wood is available, with Dawid Malan also battling to prove his fitness, but England’s leading T20 wickettaker is keeping his focus on what he can control.
“It’s just a matter of staying ready,” Jordan added.
“You wake up and prepare every day as if you’re going to play and, if you don’t, you want to just try to keep contributing to the team as much as possible in any way you can.”