Chris Jordan is thrilled to see England team-mate Jofra Archer fit again and believes a shift in mindset over the last six months was key to his eagerly-anticipated return.
Archer marked his first England appearance in 14 months and a first international outing on English soil since 2020 with two wickets in a 23-run T20 victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday.
A spate of right elbow issues, alongside a stress fracture of the back two years ago, consigned the Barbados-born quick to endless months of rehabilitation over recent years.
Jordan, who has described Archer as his “little brother” in the past, tried to regularly check in with the 29-year-old, but feels the credit for this comeback must go to the man himself.
“At times you can say too much. You can get a bit repetitive. Definitely because you care, you try to check in as much as possible,” Jordan reflected.
“Other times, he probably needed to do the journey himself, find his own way, find his own mentality and to be honest he’s done a lot of it on his own.
“Sometimes he was probably waking up some days and thinking it might not happen again. So, bless him, in the last six months I feel like I’ve seen a shift in his vibe and his mindset and everything.
“He seems really happy stepping on the field. He might not have looked it, but I bet he was quite nervous. He comes in with the bat, hits a six to get us up to a half-decent total and then does what he does with the ball.
“For England fans and everyone who is a fan of him, it’s great to have him back out there.
We know how good he is, how he can change a game in a minute.— Chris Jordan on Jofra Archer
“It gives goosebumps to see him take that wicket (of Azam Khan). He probably didn’t take it with the best-possible delivery but he’ll take it.
“He’s phenomenal. To be out of international cricket for so long, to touch 90mph and just look like he never left is awesome. And he will keep getting better with games.”
Archer was hit for 15 runs from his first over but bounced back impressively in his next three one-over spells to finish with two for 28.
It helped England defend 183 for seven, which was inspired by a fine knock of 84 from captain Jos Buttler.
Spin-duo Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid picked up three wickets in Pakistan’s chase before the England seam attack took control.
Reece Topley claimed a three-fer and received support from Archer and Jordan, who was a surprise inclusion in England’s 15-man World Cup squad.
Jordan had only played one T20 for England over the past 12 months, but got the nod for his specialist death bowling.
He added: “Not really (surprised). Throughout my career I’ve always made a promise to myself never to rest on my laurels.
“Coming back into the team, I’ve been given a clear role to bowl at the death, to bowl at difficult times. So, I’m trying to embrace it and backing my skill all the way.”
Even though Jordan featured in England’s T20 World Cup win in Australia in 2022, he admits Archer’s return gives the bowling attack a different dynamic.
“We know how good he is, how he can change a game in a minute,” Jordan acknowledged.
“Every batsman that came out, they were thinking about the bouncer straightaway. That in itself adds a different dynamic to the bowling attack and some good variety.
“I’m a bit shorter, skiddier. Toppers is tall, left-arm, Jofra’s tall, right-arm, Sam (Curran) is a bit different as well. I think we’ve got a good mix of guys. Hopefully we can keep building on it.”
