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England speedster Jofra Archer has opened up about the challenges he faced during his prolonged injury layoff, revealing the emotional toll it took on him. The 29-year-old pacer, who returned to action for England in May 2024 after a year-long absence due to an elbow injury, shared his experience ahead of England’s T20 World Cup 2024 game against Australia on Saturday, June 8.
Archer, whose injury resurfaced during IPL 2023, had to deal with negative comments questioning his commitment and value to the team. Speaking to reporters, he admitted, “I’ve seen a few comments, people saying he’s on the longest paid holiday I’ve ever seen. You try to not let it get to you but you can ignore 100 of them, but sometimes that 101st is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Sometimes you feel like a burden not playing,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.
Despite the criticism, Archer has shown resilience in his comeback. He registered figures of 4-0-28-2 in his first international game back and performed decently in England’s first T20 World Cup 2024 match against Scotland, though the game was ultimately washed out by rain.
Reflecting on his return, Archer revealed the emotional moment when he stepped back onto the field for England. “It was really, really emotional. I had a little bit of water in my eye and it wasn’t the rain,” he shared. He also recounted a conversation with Robert Key, England’s managing director of cricket, about his concerns over losing his contract due to the injury. “I made a joke with Keysy [Rob Key] earlier where I said I’m really glad I’m back playing because I reckon I would have lost my contract in October. He laughed and said, ‘no you’re all right,'” Archer added.
The upcoming match against Australia is crucial for the defending champions, especially after their washout against Scotland. Australia, on the other hand, started their campaign with a convincing win over Oman, making the clash even more significant for England’s T20 World Cup aspirations.
Archer’s journey back to fitness and form will be closely watched as England aims to navigate the tournament and defend their title. His ability to perform under pressure and contribute to the team’s success will be vital in the crucial matches ahead. Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
