Playing World Cup four years earlier than I thought, says Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer has all the traits of a typical Carribean player - he can bowl fiery spells, hit striking blows with the bat and take athletic catches in the field. The bowling all-rounder played for West Indies Under-19 side but he made a shift to England after a back injury. As per the rules back then, he was only eligible to play for England after plying his trade in domestic cricket for seven years but an alteration in rules made him eligible for the current World Cup starting today. 

Archer revealed that he will not be under pressure as he did not even expect to a part of the quadrennial event in this season.

“Not really, no (I am not under pressure). I’m playing four years earlier than I thought I would, playing international cricket for England at a World Cup. I just want to enjoy myself, that’s all,” he said in an interview, reported PTI.

Archer has featured in various T20 leagues around the world and is a feared bowler in the death overs. The Barbados born player still felt that his role will not be limited to bowling in the death overs alone and thereby, he would even like to bowl in the beginning and middle overs.

“I’m ready to bowl whenever I need to. There’s talk of me being the one to break partnerships mid-way through an innings, but whatever the time, I’m ready,” expressed the 24-year-old.

Archer also revealed that he will stick to the deliveries in his arsenal and is not working on other deliveries.

"Not really (working on other variations). I just concentrate on making sure I’m consistent with the deliveries I already have — my yorkers, slower balls, bouncers etc,” he revealed.

The latest England recruit also went on to name the most fearful batsmen in world cricket at the moment. "Virat Kohli is arguably the best batsman in limited overs cricket at the moment. David Warner hits the ball very hard and Jos Buttler has almost every shot in his arsenal," he said. 

“You can’t look past the trio of Jos (Buttler), Kohli and Warner from my point of view. Jos can hit your best ball out of the ground — he’s a freak! The other two are different. Kohli will be ahead of the game in terms of knowing what you’re going to bowl, he dissects teams. With Warner, I don’t think anyone hits the ball harder. He’s a real competitor and coming off the back of a great IPL (Indian Premier League),” Archer explained.

Archer also had a fine run in the two editions of the IPL he has played yet. The Rajasthan Royals pacer led his side’s attack and picked 26 wickets in 21 matches. Archer felt the pressure of the cash-rich league will bode him well for the quadrennial event.

“IPL cricket has done a lot for my development as a cricketer. You’re playing against the best players in the world, week in, week out, in front of packed stands. I really feel that the IPL sets you up well for the pressures World Cup Cricket will exert on a player,” he signed off.