Kohli’s verbal arrow fails to unsettle Archer

England’s Jofra Archer playing for Sussex Sharks during the Vitality Blast T20 against Middlesex at the The 1st Central County Ground, Hove, UK. 17 Aug 2018.
Photo: Sussex Cricket/Stephen Lawrence

If Virat Kohli’s recent labelling of Jofra Archer as an ‘X-factor bowler’ was designed to unsettle England’s newest World Cup hopeful then it seems the Indian captain is going to need a plan B.

Archer claimed three wickets in yesterday’s nine-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Oval – the last game for Eoin Morgan’s side before they open the tournament in earnest against South Africa on Thursday.

In the wake of his exploits, the Sussex quick, who earned a late call-up for World Cup duty at the expense of David Willey, was presenting his most chilled-out self to the resulting media huddle.

He professed not to have heard of or read Kohli’s remarks made at the captains’ press conference in Stoke Newington last Thursday and whether he has or he hasn’t, the genuine compliment or mind games from the World’s No 1 batsman didn’t seem set to get inside Archer’s head.

Having announced himself with 11 wickets for Rajasthan Royals at the 2019 IPL, it seems the 24-year-old can’t wait to perform on an even bigger stage in a format which gives him more chance to impress.

“I think I’ve settled into international cricket pretty good,” he says with a quiet assurance in marked contrast to his 90mph on-field persona.

“It’s not really that different from anything I’ve been doing recently, so it doesn’t really feel like a big transition.

“I think playing in the IPL this year will help me in the World Cup. I’ve played in pressure situations a few times in India, so I think I’ve got a lot to look forward to if it does happen here in England.

“I quite enjoy 50-over cricket as there are more opportunities to bowl and more opportunities to get wickets.

“Sometimes if you are in the middle of a good spell in India you can only bowl 24 balls where here if you are in a good spell you can end up taking four, five, six wickets.”

For an international newcomer Archer possesses a level of savvy beyond his experience and demonstrated an awareness that his seeming unflappable sense of calm, while being a strength, could just as easily prove his Achilles heel should he let it.

“Being relaxed might help me a little bit in performing to a higher level than those who are thinking about every movement they make,” he said.

“But on the flip side, those who are a bit nervous can put everything they need to do in their mind, where I might be a bit too relaxed and may not remember a few things.

“Some days feeling the pressure is good. I mean we are human so everyone deals with it in their own way. I deal with it my way; others deal with it their way. I wouldn’t say (appearing calm) gives me an advantage.”

The ease of England’s victory meant Archer had barely begun a second spell by the time Afghanistan were shot out for 160 in less than 39 overs.

He admits another over or two ahead of the curtain-raiser would have been useful, but that said what we did see provided plenty of evidence he is building a new-ball partnership with Chris Woakes which promises wickets for England in the first powerplay.

Woakes’ relentless nagging accuracy, coupled with bounce and just enough seam movement kept runs to a minimum with the result the Afghan top order perished trying to take liberties with Archer’s extra pace in a bid to keep the scoreboard moving.

No doubt stronger nations will have a plan B to counteract the English duo, but the signs are good.

And best of all from Archer’s perspective, their contrasting qualities means there’s no need for any shows of machismo between the two teammates in the quest for choice of ends.

“I think we do go well together,” he added.

“We don’t fight for ends either. We swing the ball opposite ways, so don’t end up bowling at the same end which is nice.”