Jofra Archer ready to do the ‘hard yards’ for Ashes and World Cup challenges

Jofra Archer is ready to do the “hard yards” for the twin challenges of the Ashes and World Cup this year but is aware of the expectation he faces ahead of his England return.
Archer was England’s pace spearhead in the 2019 50-over World Cup triumph and then took 22 wickets at a dizzying 20.27 in that summer’s Ashes, but his career has been railroaded by elbow and back injuries.
Having collected eight wickets in five matches on his competitive comeback in the SA20 this month, Archer is on the verge of a first England appearance since March 2021 in an ODI series against South Africa this week.
Jofra Archer knocking ’em down in Bloemfontein, like he’s never been away pic.twitter.com/5mZt4VKZP0
— David Charlesworth (@charlie_4444) January 25, 2023
While a red-ball outing remains some way off for Archer, who says he is now at “about 80 per cent” fitness, he is happy to do whatever it takes to feature for England against Australia this summer.
“It is an exciting prospect to think about playing with the guys again, especially with the brand of cricket they are playing, which is very exciting,” Archer said.
“I need to spend the next two, three, four months finetuning the body and making myself a bit more resilient. Let me sort that out first then I can look forward to holding the red ball in my hand again.
“Overs are overs and you train and bowl until you feel good. Obviously, I might have to do some extra bowling during the weeks when I’m in India (for the Indian Premier League, likely in April and May).
“But that is absolutely fine because I want to play in the Ashes, so I’m going to have to do all the hard yards to tick those boxes.”

His breakout displays in 2019 mean Archer is held in the utmost regard and the 27-year-old accepted the flip side is there will be a lot of curiosity regarding how he fares in the weeks and months ahead.
Red and white-ball captains Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have attempted to put Archer’s mind at ease, with the fast bowler seemingly set for England’s first ODI of the year in Bloemfontein on Friday which marks the start of the countdown towards the defence of their World Cup title in India in the autumn.
“(Ben) said there is no expectation, so did Jos,” Archer said. “It’s nice to hear it, but people will have expectations anyway. Hopefully I can do a half decent job to help the team.
“If I don’t do well when I play, a lot of people will be watching. I will be judged again and no one will remember the good stuff I’ve done in SA20. You are only as good as your last game.
“This is our first ODI of the year so I’m very glad to be playing from the start and, when we do get to India, hopefully I’ll be there, and everything will seem worth it.”
👉🏾🙎🏾♂️
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) January 22, 2023
Being part of England’s team environment is important to Archer, who revealed the toughest moments of being sidelined for so long were watching the last two T20 World Cups from thousands of miles away.
Archer was sorely missed as England bowed out of the semi-finals in 2021 and he even contemplated flying out to Australia ahead of their successful campaign last November.
“The hardest part of watching is not being able to help,” he said. “That was the hardest part. You don’t even have to play, just being there. I almost bought a ticket to Oz.”
Archer was originally supposed to play two matches for MI Cape Town in South Africa’s newly-created T20 league but has played three more after England’s two practice matches here were scrapped.
His injury struggles in the last couple of years mean he draws comfort from every outing for his franchise, whereupon taking a wicket he has started copying the celebration of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford by putting a finger to his temple.
“I don’t know what it means, but I’ve seen him do it and he’s a pretty nailed-on guy so I can’t imagine it having a bad reason to it,” United fan Archer said.
“Every game I play relaxes me a little bit more. In the back of my mind I’m thinking I’m still not out of the waters yet.”
Latest
-
News
Danni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
England
Harry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's Cricket
Sophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
England
Rehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.
-
England
On this day in 2019: Bob Willis dies at age of 70
The former pace bowler was one of England’s greatest players and a very popular broadcaster.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits concerns over poor run of form after West Indies beat England
Buttler was out for three off 13 balls against the West Indies in Antigua.
-
West Indies
England suffer four-wicket defeat to West Indies in opening ODI in Antigua
Jos Buttler made his fifth single-figure score in eight ODIs, dismissed for three off 13 balls.
-
England
Harry Brook helps England set West Indies 326 as Jos Buttler struggles continue
Brook top-scored with 71 while captain Buttler fell for three in the opening ODI in in Antigua.
.
-
Australia
Mitchell Johnson: Does David Warner deserve to sign off from Tests on own terms?
Warner expressed his wish to retire from Tests at the end of their series against Pakistan in Sydney next month.