After making a decisive impact in the Lord’s Test against India in his first Test match since 2021, Jofra Archer says he still has plenty left to prove in cricket’s longest format. The 30-year-old pacer is firm that he wants to play the two remaining Tests of the five-match series against India this summer, and is also eyeing the Ashes in the winter.
“I can play the other two (Tests) if they let me,” Archer was quoted as saying on Sky Sports. “I don’t want to lose this series. I told Keysy (ECB managing director Rob Key) that I wanted to play the Test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. I think one tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November, or just before.”
With his workload management a key concern, Archer looked both quick and fit at Lord’s last week, playing a key role in the 22-run victory which gave England a 2-1 lead over India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Archer ended with match figures of five for 107 from 39.3 overs.
He said he was not concerned about breaking down physically, as his contributions were only in line with those of his colleagues. “I think everybody put their body on the line, so it’d be a bit bad if I didn’t as well. Most of the last day is a blur. It’s nice to bowl fast but getting wickets is the most important thing,” he said.
After getting his first taste of England’s ‘Bazball’ era, led by coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, the 30-year-old said the fire is still lit for him to perform in Test cricket.
“Test cricket is the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. I played 50-over and T20 for the last year, year and a half, two years. I think the mentality of the team under Baz (McCullum) suits the way I like to play my cricket so I just couldn’t wait to get back and actually do it,” Archer said.
