James Anderson hopes Jofra Archer will be mentally ready for third Test

James Anderson sympathises with the backlash Jofra Archer has faced on social media but is hopeful his England team-mate will be available for the #raisethebat series decider against the West Indies later this week.
Archer missed England’s series-levelling win at Emirates Old Trafford after being withdrawn from the squad and placed in isolation for five days for breaching the team’s bio-secure protocols.
The 25-year-old was fined and given a written warning following an unauthorised trip to his flat in Hove, and he revealed in his Daily Mail column that he has faced criticism and some racist abuse in the wake of his infraction.
Amid the fallout Archer said he needed to make sure he was “100 per cent mentally right”, casting some doubt on whether he will ready for the third and final Test against the Windies.
For anyone having a bad day pic.twitter.com/ttTSycHWxN
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) July 19, 2020
With the series finely-poised at 1-1, Anderson is confident both he and Archer can take the field on Friday but thinks he must first sit down with captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood to assess the situation.
“We’ve not seen much of him because he’s been in isolation for a few days. I’m sure he’ll want to play in this game because it’s such a crucial game, the series resting on it,” Anderson said.
“He’s said about his frame of mind and that’s something that over the next two days he’s going to have to sit down with the captain and coach and figure out if he’s in the right place to play.”
Archer has featured in just eight Tests, taking 33 wickets at an average of 28.12 with three five-wicket hauls, but has come in for some scrutiny online due to some inconsistent displays.
Great to watch the @englandcricket boys get a win! Brilliant test at an amazing venue! 👏👏👏 @EmiratesOT pic.twitter.com/bSld0HFqCb
— James Anderson (@jimmy9) July 20, 2020
“It’s always something that can be difficult for guys coming into the international set-up because I think the scrutiny is very different, you do feel more under the spotlight,” Anderson added.
“It’s just finding coping methods for that, finding ways of dealing with the extra attention.
“I was fortunate when I came into the England team there was no social media back then, but the way people can get their opinions out there, it’s quite visible.”
Ben Stokes came to the fore as England levelled the series against the Windies with contrasting innings of 176 and 78 not out as well as three wickets which helped him go to the top of the Test all-rounder rankings.
Since the start of 2019, Stokes has averaged 55.12 with the bat and 28.85 with the ball and Anderson already rates his team-mate ahead of Andrew Flintoff as the best all-rounder he has ever played alongside.
Anderson said: “The fact that he could get into any team as a batsman without his bowling or fielding speaks volumes.
“His bowling is getting better and better each time he goes out there and he could get into a lot of teams’ bowling attacks. It’s just amazing to have that talent in our team and to be able to watch it first hand is amazing.
“He’s certainly the best all-rounder I’ve ever played with and he’s becoming the best all-rounder that England’s ever had and there’s no reason why he can’t go on and be even better.”

Anderson was rested for the penultimate game of the series on his home ground due to the heavy workload this summer, with three matches apiece against the Windies and Pakistan between July 8 and August 25.
“I can deal with it a lot better now than a few years ago,” he added.
“Looking at the bigger picture I want to be around when we go to Australia for the next Ashes (next year) so to be able to do that, you’ve probably got to do things slightly differently.
“It might mean missing the odd game here and there to make sure that I’m in the best possible situation.”
Latest
-
News
England duo Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root add further statistical accomplishments
The Yorkshire pair put on an unbroken 269 in an England-record run chase of 378 for three.
-
News
I have unfinished business – Moeen Ali to rejoin Warwickshire after Pears exit
The 35-year-old came through the Bears ranks and made his first-class debut there in 2005 before joining Worcestershire the following year.
-
News
On this day in 2017 – Joe Root makes 184no in first innings as England captain
Root impressed in the first Test against South Africa.
-
News
A golden summer for England’s Yorkshire run machines
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow have been responsible for seven centuries between them.
-
England
Joe Root relishing being a ‘rock star’ after England’s historic win over India
New Test captain Ben Stokes wants team to be entertainers.
-
England
Fans found guilty of racist abuse at Edgbaston face bans from cricket grounds
Investigations have been launched into allegations of abuse during the fifth Test between England and India.
-
England
England’s historic chase of 378 against India is eighth-highest of all-time
West Indies hold the Test record with 418 against Australia in 2003.
-
England
England complete record chase of 378 to beat India and level series
England completed a staggering seven-wicket success as Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow saw them comfortably over the line.
-
England
Ben Stokes’ England revelling in thrill of the chase
The Test team completed the largest fourth-innings run chase in their history against India.
-
News
Allegations of racist abuse among the crowd at Edgbaston being investigated
The Bharat Army has claimed “many” of its members were targeted.