The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed with pacer Jofra Archer’s decision to miss the upcoming English summer’s long Test series against India in order to be fully fit for T20 World Cup and Ashes, scheduled to be held later this year.
“I have talked a lot about our objectives in the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, and we need to make sure he is best prepared for that,” Ashley Giles, the director of cricket at England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.
Giles said that Archer’s USP is his ability to bowl fast.
“The thing that has held him back is that he’s had two different injuries in that elbow, and it stops him doing what he does incredibly well, which is bowl quick. That must be frustrating for him,” added Giles.
Giles meanwhile, was confident that the pacer will return to his peak following the surgery.
“I am very confident with the medical team we have and the surgery he has had – which has gone very well – that he will be back and firing, and we’ll get him back as we’ve seen Jofra in the past,” added Giles.
Earlier on Thursday, Archer had expressed his desire to miss the five-Test series against India at home.
“One thing I am determined about post-elbow operation is not to rush my comeback because my primary focus is to be playing for England in Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes later this year,” Archer had written in his column for Daily Mail.
“Those are my targets. If I come back before then and manage to play in the home Test series against India — then fine, so be it. If I don’t, I am quite prepared to sit out the summer,” Archer had added.