“Test cricket my preferred format”: Jofra Archer

Ahead of his highly-anticipated debut in Test cricket against Australia at Lord’s, pacer Jofra Archer has praised the longest format of the game. Archer also claimed that he is ready to represent England in Test cricket, as they look to overhaul a 1-0 deficit in the Ashes.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Lord’s Test, Archer said:

“I’m probably more ready than I’ve ever been. I’ve played a lot more red-ball (overall) than I have white-ball. I do think it’s my preferred format anyway. Red ball isn’t really shown on TV so a lot of people won’t know. Looking at the scorecard, it doesn’t really tell the full story of how a game panned out anyway. It was actually the first format I played in when I started at Sussex.”

Archer has been portrayed as somewhat of a saviour in the British media. The English bowling attack looked hapless in the second innings at Edgbaston. Many believe Archer’s pace and bounce will inject energy into the bowling attack and turn around England’s fortunes. He was England’s star performer with the ball at the recently concluded World Cup. But Archer himself has appealed to the people not to expect miracles from him.

Archer stated:

“What I would say is don’t expect any miracles, firstly! Hopefully, I’m gonna make my debut sooner rather than later and I’ll come in and do what I can. I can’t work miracles – I’ll try to, but I don’t think that’s how it might pan out. I’ll try my best and I can only give my best.”

The second Test of the Ashes will begin at Lord’s on August 14. Australia won the first Test at Edgbaston by 251 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.