MARVEL ARCH
EOIN MORGAN is hoping Jofra Archer can chop down favourites Australia in his first white- ball outing since the World Cup Final.
It has been over a year since Archer’s last limited- overs action for England – the Super Over against New Zealand that resulted in the winning run- out at Lord’s last summer.
A great deal has happened since then, not least to Archer who went on to torment the Aussies in The Ashes before suffering an injury- ravaged winter due to his right elbow.
He appears to be over the issue now and with Ben Stokes and Jason Roy both missing, Morgan is hopeful Archer can do for England what he has done in T20 leagues around the world – even if it might take him a game or two to get back into the swing of things.
Ahead of this evening’s first T20 at Southampton, Morgan said: “It’s great to have Jofra back. He’s one of our match- winners and to have another one in your team is great.
“He has played a lot during the summer and he is very excited about playing in this series, he’s a huge asset. I just think we need to t manage the th level le l of expectation of what he produces throughout the series.
“We saw at Old Trafford in the first game against Pakistan, guys took a little bit of time to get into their rhythm.
“So, the level of expectation naturally will be high but within reason.”
Archer is said to be straining at the leash to take on the Aussies and restart the contest that captured d th the i imagination a last summer.
Alongside him, fellow Big Bash star Tom Banton will get his first taste of competing against the Aussies at No. 3 with Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow opening up the innings.
“Games against Australia are the pinnacle of anybody’s career and there is always more on the line when you play against them,” added the in- form Morgan.
“Probably Australia are just about the favourites because they have their strongest squad here so they’ll be putting out their best eleven.
“You pitch yourself against the best in the world and if you do come out of it having played well and had a good day out or beaten them there is a huge confidence boost to be had from that.”