Steve Smith’s Ashes tormentor, Jofra Archer, is eyeing off a “repeat of 2019” ahead of his international return, with one-eye firmly on this year’s mouth-watering Test showdown with Australia.
Archer declared himself “about 80 per cent” fit ahead of his long-awaited return in England‘s ODI tour of South Africa, adamant he wants to pick up where he left off before elbow injuries forced him to the sidelines for more than 18 months.
Even England’s new Australian white-ball coach, Matthew Mott, is relishing the thought of what Archer could do against the Aussies later this year, having steamrolled Smith at Lord’s on debut among four Tests of carnage.
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Archer said he was just doing some “fine tuning” ahead of a massive year, which also includes a one-day World Cup, where England will defend the title it won just before the fast bowler was unleashed in the Ashes.
“Hopefully it can be a repeat of 2019,” Archer said in Bloemfontein ahead of the opening game of the series.
“We’ve again got a 50-over World Cup and an Ashes in the same year, so more of the same, please.
“There’s no reason to look back. I’ve done my time and I’m here now. That’s the most important thing. I’d probably say I’m about 80 per cent. Just some fine tuning now.
“I know whenever I‘m fully fit, I don’t think there’s much that can stop me; it’s just a matter of when that was going to be. Playing cricket again for the first time a few weeks ago, [I’m] still riding off that wave of emotions right now.
“Hopefully in two days it can go up another level. It‘s just been good to play cricket and actually not have to worry about if my body’s going to give way. I think that was the most important tick for me so far.”
Mott labelled Archer, who took 22 wickets in four Tests in the 2019 Ashes, as “one of the most exciting things to have happened in cricket for the last decade” and can’t wait to see him in action again.
“He’s full throttle, fast and brings such energy. He is one of those guys that if you are there sitting in the pub and he’s bowling, you’re watching. That’s a big thing to have,” Mott said.
“Everyone here will get a lift with him around. Bowlers like him and Mark Wood, those with extreme pace, give everyone that little bit extra confidence and sense of fun around playing the game. He’s spent a lot of time out and I know he’s absolutely frothing to play. It will be great to have him.”
