Archer’s Return Bolsters England’s T20 World Cup Defence
Jofra Archer, the towering right-arm fast bowler, has been named in England’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ninth edition of the T20 World Cup in June. This marks his return to international cricket after a year-long hiatus due to injury concerns.
Despite missing England’s memorable victory at the most recent T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 due to injury, the 29-year-old was a crucial part of the team that clinched their maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup title in 2019. His return is expected to be a significant boost for England’s bid to secure consecutive tournament victories in the shortest format of the international game.
Defending champions England announce T20 World Cup squad
England’s fast-bowling contingent for the T20 World Cup includes Mark Wood, reigning T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament Sam Curran, seasoned all-rounder Chris Jordan, and tall left-armer Reece Topley. However, none possess the match-winning ability of Archer, according to managing director Rob Key.
Key lauds Archer’s versatility, noting his ability to bowl effectively at any stage of an innings. He eagerly anticipates Archer’s return to action at the T20 World Cup.
“Jofra has all the attributes you want for a bowler in international cricket. Many bowlers tick one or two of those boxes, but Jofra ticks them all,” Key told BBC Sport.
England clinched the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 trophy after defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the final.
Esteemed commentator and England legend Nasser Hussain also expressed his delight at Archer’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. He believes the Barbados-born quick can have an impact similar to that of India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
“Like India’s Jasprit Bumrah, Archer is an incredibly skilled multi-phase bowler. He can take the new ball, break partnerships in the middle overs, then come back at the death,” Hussain wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
Sam Curran ecstatic after match-winning spell | ICC Men’s T20 WC 2022
England will depart for the Caribbean on 31 May, with their first match against Scotland in Barbados scheduled for 4 June. They are grouped in Group B at the T20 World Cup alongside Australia, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman.
England squad:
Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood