Sir Andy Says Archer Has Potential, Warns Of England Bias

0
27
- Advertisement -

By Neto Baptiste

Sir Andy Roberts, a former West Indies fast bowler, believes Barbados-born pacer Jofra Archer could evolve into one of the game’s top players once he is given a fair opportunity by his England team.

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Sir Andy said the player has a lot of potential, but England must also have patience with the young and inexperienced Barbadian.

“Only time will tell. He looks good and he looks as though he bowls within himself and not extending himself; but it’s sad to say, and this is my thinking, that after maybe a year or two England will do to him what they have done to all the other West Indians who have played in their team,” he said. 

Archer finished the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup with 20 wickets from 11 matches to be bettered only by Australia’s Mitchell Starc with 27 wickets from 10 matches and Lockie Ferguson of New Zealand who ended with 21 wickets from nine matches.

Sir Andy compared Archer to another Barbados born fast bowler, Chris Jordan, who hasn’t played an ODI for England in three years. The 30-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder played the last of his 31 ODIs in 2016, and has since gone on to become an England T20 specialist.

“When you look at a Chris Jordan, one of the best English death bowlers, and they talk so much about Liam Plunkett, but you can bowl Chris Jordan in the middle or you can bowl Chris Jordan towards the end, but he’s a West Indian so there’s no room for two,” he said.

Archer bowled 100.5 overs, giving up 461 runs at an average of 4.57. He bowled eight maidens during the tournament. 

- Advertisement -