Jofra Archer elated with return to cricket after long injury layover: Close to umpires after 18 months

Jofra Archer returned to action after almost one and a half years away from cricket. The fast bowler toook part in an intra squad 3-day game ahead of England’s Test series vs Pakistan.

File photo of Jofra Archer from 2020. (Courtesy: Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: England pacer Jofra Archer felt elated to get back to cricket after a long injury layover. Archer, who has been plagued with injury issues since the 2019 World Cup was completely out of cricket since his elbow surgery in 2021. The fast bowler, who skipped two Indian Premier Leagues, took time to get his elbow surgery right.

“This is probably the first time I’ve been so close to umpires in about 18 months as well,” Archer told ESPNcricinf during England vs Lions 3-day game at Abu Dhabi.

“It’s really good to be back and being here with all the guys is probably the best way to do it as well,” the pacer further added.

ESPNcricinfo reported that Archer hit Zack Crawley with his 90 miles per hour delivery. He reacted to the same and said that he did not try to hit him intentionally.

“I wasn’t even trying to hit him, I was just trying to get out of the over!” Archer said.

The fast bowler, who is expected to return during the early months of 2023 said that him feeling sore again was weird.

“I feel sore – the usual when you bowl. Nothing to worry about at all. It’s weird feeling this way again. This is probably the best soreness I’ve ever had after bowling. I’ll take this!” Archer said.

“Hopefully it stays like this, as I play some more cricket and it goes on. It was really nice, yesterday was a really really big day. It was a small day but still a big day,” he further added.

England are set to take on Pakistan in a three match Test series, starting 1 December.