England’s pacer Jofra Archer is eager to play in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in front of his family in the Caribbean as Jos Buttler’s side will begin their title defense against Scotland on June 4.
Archer, who turned 29 this month, has not played professional cricket ever since pulling out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 due to discomfort in his elbow. However, he might be back when England will host Pakistan in a four-match T20I series in May.
The 29-year-old is considered one of England’s most valuable members as despite only playing seven white-ball matches since 2021, he was awarded a two-year central contract in October 2023 which indicated the England Cricket Board’s (ECB) trust in him.
England will be defending their T20 World Cup in the West Indies in June and they would be counting on Archer should he is declared fit. Likewise, the Barbados-born is eager to feature in the mega event as it will also be played in his home country.
"I really do want to be in the team," he said, speaking to The Athlete's Voice by 4CAST. "I really do want to be playing back at home… I'd love my family and my dogs at that first game back. I haven't played for England at all this year, so I think it would be really fitting if that could happen."
The 29-year-old also talked about the worst-case scenario saying that if he couldn’t make it to the final squad, there would still be leagues to play in the future.
"The last two years have been really stop-start, so I just think that everyone's going to just take it a bit easy," Archer said. "If I'm ready then fine, happy days. But if I'm not, they're still supporting me until whenever I am ready.
"Worst-case scenario, even if I don't make it to the World Cup for whatever reason, there's still the T20 Blast, there's still the Hundred. There's still cricket that I haven't got a chance to play in the last couple of years. As much as I want to play in the World Cup, if it doesn't happen for whatever reason, at least I still know I could be somewhat active as well.”
- Jofra Archer
