ENG vs PAK: England relishes ‘fear factor’ of returning paceman Archer – Sportstar

Subscribers Only Have you subscribed yet?
Buy Print
Published : May 20, 2024 21:27 IST , London – 2 MINS READ
Comments
Follow Us
SHARE
READ LATER
FILE PHOTO – England’s Jofra Archer participates in a training session ahead of its second T20 cricket match against Bangladesh in Dhaka. | Photo Credit: Aijaz Rahi/ AP
England is eager to unleash Jofra Archer’s “fear factor” against Pakistan as the paceman prepares to return from a long injury lay-off ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, says teammate Sam Curran.
Injuries have blighted Archer’s international career and he has not played top-level cricket for 14 months due to back and elbow issues.
He has managed just 15 Twenty20 appearances for England since making his international debut five years ago but is in the squad for its four-match T20 series against Pakistan, starting this week, and the World Cup.
The 29-year-old has been building up his fitness by playing club cricket in Barbados and last week took a wicket for Sussex’s second XI.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have a player of his quality,” all-rounder Curran said on Monday. “I’m sure England fans and players are extremely buzzed to have him back.
“He’s obviously got that extra pace and fear factor we can bring to opposition. We all hope his injuries are behind him now.
“Jof’s had a really tough couple of years — we all hope he can come back and do what he does for England and bring the A game that we know he’s got.”
ALSO READ: Is strike rate everything in T20Is? A case study on Smriti Mandhana and the opening anchor role
England, the reigning T20 world champion, is desperate to find form ahead of the tournament in the West Indies and the United States after a dismal 50-over World Cup defence in India last year.
Curran is one of eight squad members who returned early from the Indian Premier League ahead of the Pakistan series.
The players had little time together before the defence of its 50-over title.
“The messaging from (captain) Jos (Buttler) and the coaching staff was they wanted to get the group back together and we probably didn’t have that last time,” said Curran.
“We’ve been apart for a while so these games are going to be really crucial. We want to be playing as a team and get used to our roles.
“There’s a lot of buzz around the group, it seems like we’re back to our energy and it seems like the boys are really fizzed about this trophy hopefully coming back.”
The first game of the four-match T20 series against Pakistan takes place at Headingley on Wednesday.
Comments
England /
Jofra Archer /
Sam Curran /
Pakistan /
T20 World Cup
BACK TO TOP
Terms & conditions  |  Institutional Subscriber
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment

source