5 things you should know about Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer will be available to play for England from next year after the ECB announced changes to its eligibility criteria.

Barbados-born Archer was due to have to serve a seven-year qualification period, having arrived in England in 2015, but the ECB has brought its rules closer to those of the International Cricket Council by requiring a three-year period of residence.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a closer look at the man who could soon be wearing England colours.

Background

County Cricket arrival

Sussex were first alerted to Archer’s potential by their fast-bowler and fellow Barbadian Chris Jordan, who had faced Archer in a net session in Barbados. Four-wickets came on his first-class debut against Pakistan and he started to show white-ball pedigree as well – taking 35 wickets in all formats at the back end of 2016. He has 131 wickets in just 28 first-class matches at an impressive average of 23.44. His T20 performances, including a final-over hat-trick against Middlesex helped Sussex to the Vitality Blast final in 2018. It is Archer’s raw pace and excellent aggressive bowling, as well as handy skills with the bat, that have made him one of the world’s hottest T20 prospects.

Big Bash and IPL propel Archer to international stardom

Archer’s stint with the Hobart Hurricanes in the 2017-18 Big Bash in Australia catapulted him into the eyes of the global cricketing world. His 16 wickets in 12 games with an economy of 7.96 only told part of the story as Archer’s efforts with the bat and in the field inspired the Hurricanes to the Big Bash final. One Archer delivery was clocked at 94mph and his mix of yorkers and bouncers got observers very excited. Inevitably, the IPL came calling and Archer was snapped up by the Rajasthan Royals for £800,000 before taking three wickets on his debut in a player-of-the-match performance.

Keen to play for England

World Cup prospects