ICC World Cup 2023: Steve Harmison Speaks On Jofra Archer Ahead Of ODI WC 2023, Says 'England Shouldn't Be Even Looking At Him For The World Cup'

Former England player, Steven Harmison opened up on Jofra Archer ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 in India and said that the team selectors of the English side shouldn’t have to look at him for the upcoming extravaganza tournament.

While speaking to Inews, Harmison said that Jofra Archer has been out of the field for a long time, and including him in the ODI World Cup 2023 squad is asking for too much from a player.

Harmison further said that it is not fair from the players’ side since there is also a human element to it and the defending champions shouldn’t have looked at him.

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Harmison further stated that if the player was the team selector, he wouldn’t have included him in the squad since he thinks it is also cruel from the player’s side.

The former England player feels that the Jofra Archer should comeback to cricket first and away from the England side to get back into competitive in the initial stage.

“Getting back on the field during a World Cup is just asking too much of somebody who has been out for such a long time. I don’t think it’s fair on him. I think there’s a human element to it. I say this purely from Jofra’s point of view, England shouldn’t even be looking at him (for the World Cup). I think it might be a little bit cruel. I wouldn’t even take him. I think Jofra needs to find a way back into cricket, possibly away from England, just go and enjoy getting back on the field again,” Steven Harmison said.

When you’re in the middle, it’s completely different to bowling in the nets: Steve Harmison on Jofra Archer

The former England player said that Jofra Archer has not played competitive matches for a long time and wants him to take a break to get back into cricket. Harmison stated that bowling in the nets is totally different than in a match.

“This lad has been through the ringer for such a long time and I think just give him a break and let him ease back into cricket. England have decided they’re going to try and do that (take him as a travelling reserve) and I hope for Jofra’s sake he doesn’t get thrown into the heat of the battle. It won’t be his elbow this time, it’ll be some other part of his body that breaks down if he’s asking his body to do something it hasn’t done for quite some time, no matter how much training you’ve done. When you’re in the middle, it’s completely different to bowling in the nets, so I’d like to think England can get through this whole World Cup without him,” the former England player said.

England will start their ODI World Cup journey against New Zealand on October 5th at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.