Carlos Brathwaite Reckons Jofra Archer Brings An X-Factor To The English Team Like Kevin Pietersen

Carlos Brathwaite, former West Indies T20 captain, has likened Barbados-born English fast bowler Jofra Archer to Kevin Pietersen, adding that the 25-year-old brings an X-factor to the England team much like what KP did back in the day.

Jofra Archer was dropped from the 2nd Test after he breached the bio-bubble protocols by going to his home in Brighton during his travel from Southampton to Manchester. The 25-year-old was sent into isolation where he tested negative twice for Covid-19 before getting added into the squad for the third Test.

“There’s the traditional English way of doing it by the book, but all good teams need the X-factor. I think he brings that X-factor… Kevin Pietersen brought that X-factor,” Carlos Brathwaite told the BBC.

“While you’re hoping that the majority of the team are 75% consistent and they do everything by the book — they are always early, they eat right, they do this and they do that — you do need that rogue,” he added.

“I’m not saying that he is that, but every team needs that rogue, that X-factor, that doesn’t play by the rules of the book and ‘do it my way’ type of character,” Brathwaite said.

‘Ben Stokes was seen as that type of character [referring to Jofra Archer] not so long ago’- Carlos Brathwaite

Carlos Brathwaite went on to give the example of star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has had his fair share of off-field issues in the past but is now seen as the leader of the side.

Ben Stokes was embroiled in a brawl outside the Bristol pub back in late 2017, following which he missed the Ashes series in Australia before undergoing a trial where he was cleared of affray.

“If you think about it, Stokes not so long ago was seen as that type of character. Now he’s seen as a leader,” Carlos Brathwaite added.

“If England can find a way to transform Jofra into the leader that Stokes has become, while keeping his X-factor on-field performance, then they are two serious cricketers to be contending with for the next five to 10 years.” he added.

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