Jofra set to return for England

Jofra Archer is set to return in time for England’s 50-Over World Cup title defence in India later this year.

The Barbadian fast bowler was key to England securing their first ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 with his 20 wickets at an average of 24.55 and holding his nerve to successfully bowl the super over in the final at Lords.

Since then, he has been plagued with a number of injuries such as surgeries to his elbow and a stress fracture in his back, limiting his appearances on the cricket field.

However Sussex Head Coach Paul Farbrace believes he is well placed to be lining up alongside his international teammates come October 5 when England take on New Zealand  in their tournament opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in a replay of the 2019 final.

Farbrace said: “He’s going well. I think he is on course for the World Cup which is fantastic news. I think England will need to work out how to get the best out of him over the next few years if he is to go to that next Ashes series.”

In May, the 28-year-old was ruled out of this summer’s Ashes series because of another stress fracture in his right elbow. That latest injury blow came after he made tentative steps towards full recovery earlier this year when he featured in England’s white ball tours to South Africa and Bangladesh.

It was a successful return as he took six for 40 in the final ODI vs South Africa in the 2-1 series loss. He followed that up with tidy figures of two for 37 and three for 35 as England became the first team to win a bilateral series in Bangladesh since 2016 when they previously did it.

Archer has made 21 One-Day International appearances for England, picking up 42 wickets at an average of 21.73. (JC)