Jordan thrilled to see fit-again Archer back in an England shirt
CHRIS JORDAN is thrilled to see England team-mate Jofra Archer fit again and believes a shift in mindset over the last six months was key to his eagerly-anticipated return.
Archer marked his first England appearance in 14 months and a first international outing on English soil since 2020 with two wickets in a 23-run T20 victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday.
A spate of right elbow issues, alongside a stress fracture of the back two years ago, consigned the Barbados-born quick to endless months of rehabilitation over recent years.
Jordan, who has described Archer as his “little brother” in the past, tried to regularly check in with the 29-year-old, but feels the credit for this comeback must go to the man himself.
“At times you can say too much. You can get a bit repetitive. Definitely because you care, you try to check in as much as possible,” Jordan reflected. “Other times, he probably needed to do the journey himself, find his own way, find his own mentality and to be honest he’s done a lot of it on his own.
“Sometimes he was probably waking up some days and thinking it might not happen again. So, bless him, in the last six months I feel like I’ve seen a shift in his vibe and his mindset and everything.
“He seems really happy stepping on the field. He might not have looked it, but I bet he was quite nervous. He comes in with the bat, hits a six to get us up to a half-decent total and then does what he does with the ball.
“For England fans and everyone who is a fan of him, it’s great to have him back out there.
“It gives goosebumps to see him take that wicket [of Azam Khan]. He probably didn’t take it with the bestpossible delivery but he’ll take it.
“He’s phenomenal. To be out of international cricket for so long, to touch 90mph and just look like he never left is awesome. And he will keep getting better with games.”
Archer was hit for 15 runs from his first over but bounced back impressively in his next three one-over spells to finish with two for 28.
It helped England defend 183 for seven, which was inspired by a fine knock of 84 from captain Jos Buttler.
Spin-duo Moeen Ali and Adil
Rashid picked up three wickets in Pakistan’s chase before the England seam attack took control.
Reece Topley claimed a three-fer and received support from Archer and Jordan, who was a surprise inclusion in England’s 15-man World Cup squad.
Jordan had only played one T20 for England over the past 12 months, but got the nod for his specialist death bowling.
He added: “Coming back into the team, I’ve been given a clear role to bowl at the death, to bowl at difficult times. So, I’m trying to embrace it and backing my skill all the way.”