“Jofra Archer is Very Exciting to Watch and Has an X-factor”: Eoin Morgan

England captain Eoin Morgan shared that Jofra Archer has proved to be an ‘X-factor’ in his fairly young career so far. However, he insisted that the best of him is yet to come. Archer was recently rewarded with a central contract for Test as well as in the white-ball cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for his brilliant show in the ICC World Cup and the Ashes.

Morgan praised the 24-year-old fast bowler, stating he managed to overcome every obstacle that was thrown on him so far to establish his name in world cricket.

“I think it is fantastic. Jofra is very exciting to watch and he bowls fast and has an X-factor. He can bowl in any format of the game and any circumstances and to any plan,” Morgan said. “Every obstacle that is being put in front of him, he overcame that. We haven’t seen the best of him, he still wants to learn all the time.”

Jofra Archer was England’s highest wicket-taker in their World Cup-winning campaign. After that he picked up 22 wickets at an average of 20.27 in the four Ashes Tests. Eoin Morgan also praised Ben Stokes‘ heroics in the Ashes, referring him as an exceptional cricketer.

“Who would have thought after the World Cup final performance that took absolutely everything that he could come up with, on his own we would win a game (third Ashes Test) at Headingley. The innings exposed every attribute that you need to be a Test match batsman. It was exceptional,” he said.

Stokes single-handedly took England to a one-wicket win over Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley with a blistering match-winning knock of 135 runs. Morgan further added that England are eyeing on next year’s World Twenty20 in Australia.

“Realistically we do (stand a chance of winning). We came to India in 2016 and made it to the final. We had a similar squad during the World Cup in England this year. If we can build our momentum and gel together as a side, it will give us the best chance,” added the left-handed batsman,” he said.

He further shared his thought about the World Cup as well. He said they will work on the team building next year.

“Our strategy will change in the new year towards the (T20) World Cup. It is been long summer for some of us and some need rest. I think, in the immediate future, we might experiment a little bit. But next year, we will definitely be working towards building a strong team,” he concluded.