Jofra Archer is the most naturally gifted bowler I've seen: Ben Stokes

At a time when the England team management is desperate to try out Jofra Archer before the World Cup, their all-rounder Ben Stokes might have increased their desperation by saying that the Barbados-born all-rounder is the most “naturally gifted” bowler he has seen. Archer recently qualified for England after the change in rules and now has a solid chance of playing in the mega-event while donning an England jersey.

Archer has become one of the most sought-after cricketers in franchise cricket across the world. The all-rounder has the ability to clock 90mph with the ball in addition to hitting the ball long way and not to forget his athletic fielding. No surprises then that he is an asset in limited-overs cricket and England are desperate to try him out. Archer has so far played only 14 List A games but his exploits in Australia and India look enough for England to fast-track him in the ODI squad.

Several big names in English cricket believe that Archer can provide the X-factor as England eye their maiden World Cup triumph this summer. And with Stokes lavishing praise on Archer, it looks just a matter of time before the Rajasthan Royals cricketer makes it to the England ODI squad.

“Jofra makes any team better,” Stokes told BBC. “He is the most naturally gifted bowler I’ve seen and I don’t think he realises how good he is. Some of the things he can do at the click of a finger are just ‘wow’. It’s pretty special to watch.

“You ask him to do something and he nails it straight away. To have somebody at the pace he bowls and the skills he has… the selectors are going to be scratching their heads and it’s a great time to be an England fan and an England player,” he added.

Stokes not sure about Jofra’s place:

While there is an excitement surrounding Archer, his selection in the World Cup will have to be at the expense of a bowler who has been part of a squad of players in the last few years. England, currently number one in the rankings, have developed a close-knit unit since the disastrous outing in the last World Cup and will have to tamper with it to make room for Archer. When asked about it,  Stokes said that it was a tough question but a ‘great position’ for England cricket.

“It’s a tough question but it’s a great position to be in as an England team when you’ve got a player with the skill level Jofra’s got,” said Stokes.

Archer, meanwhile, is playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals, alongside Stokes and England limited-overs wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

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