Fast bowler Jofra Archer opened up about his emotions and fitness as he gears up for his first international appearance for England since March 2021 in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa.
The star pacer was sidelined for nearly 2 years due to elbow problems and a stress fracture in his back. However, he made a successful comeback for MI Cape Town in the inaugural edition of the SA20, where he bowled without any problems.
Now, he is set to feature in the opening ODI of the three-match series in South Africa, which will be played on Friday (January 27) in Bloemfontein. Notably, Archer snared eight wickets in five games for MI Cape Town in the ongoing SA20 2023.
Ahead of his comeback to the international arena, Archer is confident about playing cricket without fear of his body letting him down. He also hopes to play in the upcoming Ashes 2023 in England.
Jofra Archer was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo: “There's no reason to look back. I've done my time, and I'm here now. That's the most important thing. I'd probably say I'm about 80 percent. Just some fine-tuning now. I know whenever I'm fully fit, I don't think there's much that can stop me, it's just a matter of when that was going to be.”
Archer hopes to replicate his 2019 World Cup and Ashes performances for England in the big event this year as well. However, the speedster said that he is still trying to shake off the emotions of his return.
The 27-year-old continued, “Playing cricket again for the first time a few weeks ago, I'm still riding off that wave of emotions right now. Hopefully, it can be a repeat of 2019. We've got again a 50-over World Cup and an Ashes in the same year so more of the same, please.”
The Barbadian-born English cricketer also stressed that he will give his everything to make it to the squad for the upcoming 2023 Ashes series to be played in England in June and July.
Archer signed off by saying, “It is an exciting prospect to think about playing with the guys again, especially with the brand of cricket they (the Test team) are playing, which is very exciting. I need to spend the next two, three, four months fine-tuning 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.”
