England cricketer Jofra Archer has set his sights on competing at the 2023 World Cup following a long injury layoff. The pace bowler has not featured for England since March 2021 and has been without competitive cricket since July 2021 having battled an elbow injury and then suffering a stress fracture of his lower back, which ruled him out over the summer.
It has been a nightmare run of injuries for the 2019 world champion, but he has now ramped up his return ahead of stepping back into the international fold. In a warm-up match at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Archer bowled nine overs as the Lions took on England across two spells in a solid showing, including a bouncer that hit Zak Crawley on the helmet.
With game time now under his belt, Archer is ready to keep putting in the hard yards and reach his target of representing England when they attempt to defend their 50-over world title in India next year. "Being back here in Abu Dhabi, in and around the guys, it is kind of heart-warming, it makes you feel like you are at home again, seeing all the familiar faces, seeing all the boys again," the 27-year-old told Sky Sports.
"I am so, so glad to be back and this is a big year. We just won the T20, we have the 50-over coming up so, hopefully, I get a chance to help defend the title. That (50-over World Cup) is the goal. I still don't think I am 100% as yet; I still need to do some more work to get the body back up and fit and firing. But in the short-term, just to be fit is the most important thing."
Archer said he was in some discomfort after returning to action yesterday, which is understandable given the length of time he has been away from the game. However, that did not take away from his excitement at being back playing the sport he loves most.
"This morning, it kind of felt like a bus hit me but that is a good feeling," he added. "I was glad to get a run out, especially with the boys. It is almost like being back playing with them.
"There are some restrictions....the coach and the physio said I could use my discretion with how much I wanted to bowl. I think I did enough for a first run out."
England were practising ahead of their three match test series against Pakistan starting in Rawalpindi on December 1.
Captain Ben Stokes was rested for the warm-up match, but will return to lead the side against the team they defeated in the T20 World Cup final earlier this month.
