Jofra Archer, the fast bowler known for his fiery spells and his iconic super over performance in the 2019 World Cup final, is back in the spotlight. After a long absence due to a stress fracture in his right elbow, Archer has finally returned to training with the England squad, fueling hopes that he might still have a role to play in the upcoming World Cup.
Archer, at the age of 28, has already made significant contributions to English cricket. He has donned the Three Lions jersey in 13 Tests, 21 one-day internationals, and 15 Twenty20 matches. His most memorable moment came in that dramatic 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand, where he was entrusted with the super over that ultimately led England to their first-ever World Cup victory.
However, since that glorious night at Lord’s, Archer’s career has been marred by injuries. The most recent setback, the stress fracture in his right elbow, kept him out of the action for the entire English summer. This unfortunate timing ruled him out of contention for a spot in the 15-man World Cup squad.
But there’s still hope for Archer. As England must finalize their World Cup party for the tournament in India by September 28, he could find himself among the three reserves. The selectors have considered the possibility of Archer traveling to India as a reserve and potentially making a comeback during the latter stages of the tournament.
Selector Luke Wright has emphasized the importance of ensuring Archer’s well-being, acknowledging the bowler’s string of injuries. Wright said, “There has got to be a duty of care with Jof. We know how desperate we all are to have him, but we’ve also got to get it right for him.”
David Willey, who narrowly missed out on the 2019 World Cup squad to Archer, shared his thoughts on his fellow cricketer’s potential return. “I don’t know where he’s at fitness-wise, but he’s bowling good wheels out there today,” said Willey. “Everyone knows how good he is, what he’s capable of, and how he can impact games. So to have him close or not far away from being fit is obviously fantastic news.”
As for Willey, he knows that cricket can be unpredictable. While he’s in the squad for the World Cup this time, he understands that selections can change until the end of the month. “Until you’re on that flight out there, you can’t rest on your laurels,” he emphasized.
So, cricket enthusiasts will be eagerly watching Jofra Archer’s progress, hoping that this talented fast bowler can overcome his injury woes and once again light up the cricketing world with his pace and skill. The World Cup is just around the corner, and Archer’s journey to India could become one of the most intriguing storylines of the tournament. England’s opening match against New Zealand on October 5 is fast approaching, and the anticipation is building for Archer’s potential return to the international stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jofra Archer’s Comeback
Q: When did Jofra Archer make his return to training with England?
A: Jofra Archer returned to training with the England squad after missing the entire home summer due to a stress fracture in his right elbow.
Q: Was Jofra Archer initially included in the 15-man World Cup squad?
A: No, Archer was not considered fit enough to be a part of the 15-man World Cup squad, primarily due to his recent injury.
Q: What role could Jofra Archer potentially play in the upcoming World Cup?
A: Archer might still have a chance to travel to India as one of the three reserves for the World Cup squad, with the possibility of joining the team in the second half of the tournament.
Q: How has Jofra Archer’s cricket career been impacted by injuries?
A: Archer’s career has been significantly hampered by injuries since his heroics in the 2019 World Cup final. Despite making a comeback earlier this year, the latest elbow injury prevented him from participating in the Ashes series.
Q: What do selectors and fellow cricketers have to say about Jofra Archer’s potential return?
A: The selectors stress the importance of ensuring Archer’s well-being, given his injury history. Fellow cricketer David Willey expressed optimism about Archer’s fitness and potential impact on matches, highlighting the excitement around his potential return to the squad.
Q: When is England’s opening game in the World Cup, and what’s the significance of Archer’s potential return for that match?
A: England’s opening game in the World Cup is against New Zealand on October 5. If Archer can recover and join the squad, his presence could be a significant storyline for this important match and the tournament as a whole.
More about Jofra Archer’s Comeback
- BBC Sport – Jofra Archer trains with England on comeback from injury
- BBC Sport – Jofra Archer: England hopeful World Cup winner will recover for tournament
- ESPN Cricinfo – Jofra Archer trains with England on injury comeback
- The Guardian – Jofra Archer returns to training with England in World Cup boost
- Cricbuzz – Jofra Archer eyes World Cup comeback
3 comments
Injries hv been harsh on Archer, bt his pace is crucial, Eng nd him back!
Remembr Archer’s super over? That was epic, hopin 4 a comeback story!
Jofra Archer’s comebck is a big deal 4 England, hope he playz in da World Cup!