Jofra Archer made a notable appearance for Sussex's second XI as he intensifies his preparations for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Despite being named in England's T20 World Cup squad for the tournament starting next month, Archer has seen limited professional cricket action due to a stress fracture that sidelined him last year.
During a dynamic spell for Sussex's second XI, after being brought in for the fourth day's play, Archer bowled six impressive overs and took a wicket.
Archer last represented England during the tours of South Africa and Bangladesh in 2023, having missed England's title-winning T20 World Cup campaign in 2022. Even then, he was on the path to recovery.
Archer showed impressive pace and bounce in his latest performance, bolstering hopes that he might be ready for international action when England faces Pakistan next week in a bilateral series ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Skipper Jos Buttler expressed satisfaction with Archer's performance but cautioned against raising expectations too high ahead of the major tournament.
"Everyone knows what he is capable of and the attitude he possesses," Buttler told PA Media. "As a captain, he is someone you can always turn to in a game because he always has a trick up his sleeve."
Buttler emphasized the need to manage expectations. "It's great to be able to call on him, but it's important to manage expectations. He has been out of it for a while now, so we need to look after him and realize that it might take him a little while to be the Jofra of 2019. He is a proper superstar, but we do have to be smart with him. It's a jump in intensity from what he's doing now to international cricket, and you can't really replicate it."
England is drawn in Group B at the T20 World Cup, alongside Australia, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman.
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