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England skipper Jos Buttler recently recalled how relaxed Jofra Archer was, as the weather in Antigua threatened to wash out their T20 World Cup 2024 game against Namibia last week. Delighted that Archer looked stress-free, the keeper-batter said the right-arm speedster was asleep on the bench while the rest of the players kept checking the weather.
Following a long injury lay-off that kept him out of action since March 2023, Archer made his comeback in the T20I series against Pakistan last month. The Barbadian has been lethal since his return and has bowled with venom to trouble the opposition. He has taken five scalps in four T20 World Cup 2024 matches at 13.40 apiece.
Speaking to reporters after England qualified for Super 8s, Buttler said Archer has exceeded expectations and was looking forward to big moments.
"We were having a good laugh because we were in and out, looking at the weather and Jofra was asleep on a bench. He didn't look too stressed and I think that tells you where he's at, he's in a really good place. I'm just delighted to see him back in an England shirt playing on the big stage," Jos Buttler said (via The Independent).
"He's certainly exceeded my expectations for where he would be at, even though he was probably expecting that of himself. He's been fantastic and is an amazing guy to have in the team to throw the ball to. Certainly, he wants the big moments, and he performs well in those moments," he added.
The match against Namibia started against all odds as the officials decided to have an 11-over contest, which was later reduced to 10. The defending champions won by 41 runs and Australia later beat Scotland, helping England seal a Super 8 spot.
"Credit to all the guys who stayed really level" - Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler credited the players for not panicking and sticking to their plans after England were on the verge of elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024 at one stage.
"It's going to be a challenge but we've had so many rain-affected games, people are chomping at the bit to play. I think we've reacted really well, I think the team has been in a really good place all tournament so far and I thought, with all the anxieties around, everyone handled it well. Credit to all the guys who stayed really level, there didn't seem to be any panic," Buttler said (via The Independent).
England will face South Africa, the West Indies, and the USA in the Super 8 stage.
