Jofra Archer’s Third Test hopes rest on him convincing skipper Joe Root he is mentally prepared for West Indies decider
JOFRA ARCHER must convince Joe Root he is in the right frame of mind to play in tomorrow’s Third Test.
Fast bowler Archer admits he is upset by the fallout from his unsanctioned road trip to Brighton last week - and even considered taking a break from cricket.
Captain Root and head coach Chris Silverwood assessed Archer at practice at Old Trafford yesterday and will again monitor him today before naming a squad.
Archer was quoted in the Irish edition of the Daily Mail, for whom he writes a column: “This whole week has been a little too much from a mental point of view and I am seriously considering taking a break from cricket.
“To be stuck in a hotel room in Manchester was tough but it is how I felt afterwards that has proved more of an issue.
"To be totally honest, I will have to see how training goes before making a final decision on whether to pull out because, when I was finally allowed to go to the nets to bowl, I found I was struggling for motivation.”
Archer also revealed he had received racial abuse on social media although he still engaged yesterday with someone on Twitter who criticised him.
But people in the England camp said Archer was feeling more positive and perky yesterday.
Veteran Jimmy Anderson said Archer can play in the series-decider against West Indies only if he is in the “right place.”
Anderson insisted: “He’s talked about his frame of mind and, over the next two days, he’ll have to sit down with the captain and coach and figure out if he is in the right place to play.
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“It can be difficult for guys coming into the international set-up because the scrutiny is very different - you do feel more under the spotlight. It’s about finding coping methods.”
Former England captain Andrew Strauss, who will be at Old Trafford to help promote the Red for Ruth day that supports families facing the death of a parent from cancer, added: “Jofra made a substantial mistake.
“It sounded like a tough time in isolation and feeling like a Public Enemy No1 is not a great thing for mental health. It is time to move forward.”
