Chris Jordan says Jofra Archer's wickets on his first England outing for 438 days gave him 'goosebumps' as he hails his close friend's resilience for overcoming elbow injury troubles
- England beat Pakistan by 23 runs in second T20 at Edgbaston on Saturday
- Speed demon Archer took the wickets of Azam Khan and Imad Wasim
- Jordan said Archer's return has brought a 'different-level mood' to the team
Jofra Archer has brought a 'different-level mood' to the England dressing-room with less than a week to go before they fly to the Caribbean to defend their T20 World Cup title, according to team-mate Chris Jordan.
Archer took two for 28 during England's 23-run win over Pakistan in the second T20 at Edgbaston on Saturday - his first international appearance for 438 days after a seemingly endless period of rehab for his right elbow that left him feeling like a 'hamster on a wheel'.
And Jordan admitted that Archer's first international wicket since March 2023 had given him 'goosebumps' after his team-mate and close friend had wondered about his future in the sport.
'He was probably waking up some days and thinking it might not happen again,' he said. '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 seemed really happy stepping on the field again.
'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 everyone who is a fan of him, it's great to have him back out there.'
Chris Jordan congratulates Jofra Archer on taking one of his wickets in the Edgbaston win
Archer starred on his return from injury by taking two wickets in the 23-run win over Pakistan
Archer's first over had cost 15, but he removed Azam Khan with his seventh delivery, then dismissed Imad Wasim in his final over.
'For him to get the first one out of the way, it gives goosebumps to see him take that wicket,' said Jordan. '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.
'He brings a different-level mood. Every batsman that came out, they were thinking about the bouncer straightaway. That in itself adds a different dynamic to the bowling attack.'
Jordan has long been close to Archer. Both men were born in Barbados, and teamed up at Sussex before Jordan joined Surrey. And they kept in touch during Archer's prolonged recovery, with Jordan weighing up the advice he could offer his friend.
'At times you can say too much,' he said. 'You can get a bit repetitive. Because you care, you try to check in as much as possible. Other times, he probably needed to do the journey himself, find his own way, his own mentality. And to be honest he's done a lot of it on his own.'
Jordan himself is making something of a comeback: Edgbaston was only his fifth T20 since the World Cup final win over Pakistan at Melbourne in November 2022. But he has been earmarked for the death overs, and hopes to add six-hitting heft from No 8.
Jordan said there were days Archer wondered whether he'd ever play cricket again
Jordan celebrates after taking the wicket of Mohammad Amir during Saturday's T20 victory
Along with former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard, who has been added to England's back-room squad, he hopes to bring local knowledge to the dressing-room, with the first two World Cup games taking place at Bridgetown against Scotland and Australia.
'I've played so much cricket at Kensington Oval,' he said. 'It's not been touched for a few months, so we'll have to see if the pitch has changed. But having the likes of Polly in our ranks is huge, because he's one of the few players who has 10- or 15-plus T20 titles.
'He knows what to look out for, so the boys are buzzing to have him in the group and we'll be looking to pick his brains.'
The third game against Pakistan takes place on Tuesday in Cardiff, with England looking to clinch the series.
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