JOFRA ARCHER: We might keep our jumpers on at lunch to produce sweat for ball swing

Being at the Ageas Bowl 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for what seems like an age, removes the excitement of arriving at the ground on a Test match morning, so we will have to wait until the umpire says ‘play’ to get some adrenaline going.

But I am looking forward to being out there, doing what I love. I’ve been happy with my bowling since the start of the practice game last week. You get to a point where you are pleased with how the ball is coming out the hand in training, then you want to take it out of the net and into the middle.

Batters do not like batting in the nets — they tend to feel claustrophobic and are never out. From a bowler’s point of view, I’ve always got 20 fielders!

Jofra Archer says he might have to keep his jumper on to produce sweat for ball swing

Jofra Archer says he might have to keep his jumper on to produce sweat for ball swing

So it’s nice to get into a real contest on the field. It’s much easier to judge where my bowling is from competitive matches — if I’m getting batters out I’m happy. Bowling is always more mental than physical. If you feel happy, you tend to feel confident you can put the ball where you want. You’re going to bowl a bad ball or two but if that’s your general mood then you’re in a good place.

From Wednesday, we are not allowed to put saliva on the ball. That’s OK for me because I never have. I’ve always used sweat. So the ban won’t affect me.

However, we found last week that getting a sweat up was quite hard because it was cold. Once we started bowling and got into a spell it was fine because we could take the sweat off our backs and we just kept jumpers on for a bit longer. That might be something we do again this week and we might even keep our jumpers on at lunch so that as soon as the interval is over we have a bit of sweat ready to go.

Cricket players have been banned from using saliva on the ball due to the coronavirus risk

Cricket players have been banned from using saliva on the ball due to the coronavirus risk

COMPETITION FOR PLACES IS BRUTAL 

A bit has been made of the competition for places in this England bowling attack and undoubtedly that competition pushes everyone to perform.

If you’re playing, you know there are those in reserve who are going to be pushing even harder to be picked. That situation only makes a team better.

A few of the guys have mentioned this is the first series we’ve gone into with every bowler fit. It’s a bit of a contrast to the winter tour of South Africa when we struggled to put an XI out!

When Stuart Broad (L) said in the Mail on Sunday that I was in England's best side '100 per cent' I thought he must be talking about our Call Of Duty team!

When Stuart Broad (L) said in the Mail on Sunday that I was in England’s best side ‘100 per cent’ I thought he must be talking about our Call Of Duty team! 

I look at the quality we have got this way: I love playing cricket but I love winning more. So in South Africa, even though I only played one game, I enjoyed it. Sure, I didn’t have a direct hand in the success but, personally, I’ve never really won a lot. That’s why last year I really wanted to win the World Cup.

I’m still young and have plenty of time to win stuff but when you watch cricket, and see people lifting trophies, you want that to be you.

I relish the position I am in. When Stuart Broad said in the Mail on Sunday that I was in England’s best side ‘100 per cent’ I thought he must be talking about our Call Of Duty team! There is a lot of quality in this team and he would be crazy to suggest I’m guaranteed to be in the best XI because I’ve only played seven games.

So I took it as quite a compliment. Being around guys like him and Anderson, you see what they are capable of. It might just be in training but you can see what talent they possess.

James Anderson is also part of a stellar line-up of bowling attack which Archer is learning from

James Anderson is also part of a stellar line-up of bowling attack which Archer is learning from

I have often thought of either one of them: ‘He’s really on the money here.’ I’m glad if I’ve given them a good impression in return because I guess they will probably trust me a bit more on the field. So if one of them is feeling a bit tired, they know they can take a rest and I will be able to pick up where they left off. It’s a really good feeling to know they hold me so highly.

With such a packed schedule, I don’t think any bowler is going to play all three Tests in this series and it’s reassuring to know everyone will get substantial playing time this summer.

 BLACK LIVES MATTER… LONG TERM

The England team will wear the Black Lives Matter logos on our shirt collars this summer and it feels good to know we are giving our support to the movement.

A lot is going on in the world right now. A lot of people’s eyes have been opened and getting the support of the England cricket team can go a long way to continuing awareness.

And from the team meetings we have had since coming together a fortnight ago it’s clear we want to show our support long after this series is over. It might not be simply wearing the BLM logo but doing other things. What happens going forward is still up in the air but should be sorted by the end of the summer.

THE SAME AGAIN WITH STOKES 

I don’t think Ben Stokes being England captain will change much. Everyone knows their role, what to do, when to do it. As a bowler, Joe Root likes you to be clear with what you’re trying to do and that’s nice because there shouldn’t be any confusion. Sometimes, if things aren’t going right, you can say: ‘Well, skipper, I need another man to drop.’ Or: ‘I feel I need more protection.’ Ninety-nine per cent of the time he will give it to you.

And I don’t suspect much will be different because even when Joe is on the field, Ben will pass you information as well if he is closer to you.

I don't think Ben Stokes being England captain will change much. Everyone knows their role

I don’t think Ben Stokes being England captain will change much. Everyone knows their role 

IT’S TIME TO MAKE NEW MEMORIES 

Next week is the first anniversary of our World Cup final, although having been in lockdown for so long it feels like more than a year ago.

I’ve played lots of cricket since then, and I have some good memories from matches in between, but there are lots of reminders that make you instantly remember what a great summer it was.

The Cricket World Cup win is nearly a year ago... it's time to make new memories this summer

The Cricket World Cup win is nearly a year ago… it’s time to make new memories this summer

For example, here in Southampton we had a warm-up game and played West Indies here as well. When you pass the cricket shop there is always something that reminds you of it.

Playing a part in that victory is a great thing to be remembered for, but, as I head into my second home summer as an England player, I am determined for it not to be the only thing I’m remembered for in years to come.

source: dailymail.co.uk