Jofra Archer just wants to give it back to his team

At one point after the loss against Australia in the group stages, England’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 was in jeopardy. Scotland were pushing hard to be the second to qualify from their group ahead of England, and Jos Buttler’s side was in tatters with just a solitary point after two games. 

However, they easily won their remaining two games against Oman and Namibia and also triumphed over the home side, West Indies, by eight wickets. 

Amidst all the ups and downs of the campaign, Jofra Archer’s return has been one of the key headlines for the England side. He has bowled with pace and fire, exactly what was expected from him after his return. However, Archer isn’t satisfied by just that. He wants to keep giving it back to his side in all ways he can on a cricket field. 

Read - Jofra Archer: A timeline marred with injuries and setbacks

“Just coming back into the team, I feel that I just want to give back,” Archer remarked. 

“I didn't think about it too badly in the first couple of overs. So that's the time when you've got to run around in the field. You've got to try to make something happen, even though you're not bowling. Because I think just giving back to the team makes it a bit easier for everybody else. So, with bat, ball, and fielding, I'm just always trying to help. So that's just the type of person I am.”

Despite the thumping win against the Windies, Archer espoused caution and staying in the moment as England prepare to face South Africa on June 21 (8 PM IST). 

“Well, it was a good win [against Windies]. We had a good night with bat and ball but it's only the first game in the Super 8 So last group stage we were struggling a bit obviously weather dependent as well so I don't think we've forgotten about that and we're going just to take every game in its stride,” Archer said. 

“I think to come out on top tonight when I won't say it didn't look possible, but it was always going to be a tricky chase, batting second, all of that. 

So, I'm really, really glad that we were able to chase such a high total so early in the tournament so if we ever do get into trouble, we know exactly that we can do it.”

This is the first ICC tournament that Archer is playing in the Windies. He has roots in Barbados, and hence, in the press conference before his South Africa game, questions were asked if he feels mixed emotions playing in West Indies but for England. 

“No, no mixed emotions,” Archer said. 

“I never played - this is the first time I played in St. Lucia. Last week was the first time I played in Antigua. I didn't play any cricket in the Caribbean, really, other than in St. Kitts. I'm just like the other guys, just finding my feet and just trying to get used to the conditions here.”

When asked if England would plan anything special for the Proteas, Archer was deadpan and didn’t reveal much about their plans. 

“It's the same challenge as any other team,” Archer acknowledged. 

“Obviously, all teams have good. Every single team one to six is packed with good batters, so it doesn't really change. We're going to plan, and we're going to have our bowling meeting, and we're going to just try to come up with a plan that works.”

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