As Caring4Sussex went to press, the cricket fans in the editorial office were still reeling from an outstanding third Ashes test victory by England – snatched from the jaws of what seemed like certain defeat by Ben Stokes’s heroics and stalwart tail-ender Jack Leach.
It had seemed impossible, thanks to a woeful first innings score of just 67, the lowest Ashes score in more than 70 years. Joe Denly, number 4 batsman, had scored the most runs in that innings – with just 12.
But while the England team was blighted with terrible batting, nothing could take the shine off the performance of Jofra Archer, who took six wickets in the first innings of this test on top of an incredible World Cup debut, where he bowled the very last over to beat New Zealand in a thrilling climax.
The 24-year-old Barbados-born cricketer has inspired young players, brought a smile to the faces of cricket fans despite how their national team manages to bat – or not bat – and become the pride of Sussex County Cricket, who were sixth in the second division of the Specsavers County Championship at the time of writing.
“Sussex Cricket are proud of the strides Jofra has made since arriving at the club in 2015, before making his debut in 2016,” said a spokesman for Sussex CCC. “It was clear from his debut performance for Sussex CCC against Pakistan that he was destined for greatness.
“As the cricketing world watches over Jofra’s career we are very proud to have been a small part of his journey and look forward to him gracing the green, green grass of Hove when not representing England in the years to come.”
Archer qualified as an Englishman because of his English father. He moved here in 2015, and at the time the rules insisted players were resident for seven years before being allowed to play for the national team.
Luckily for us the rules were changed and the number was reduced to three – so in April this year he was selected.
