Jofra Archer to have "massive impact" on the Ashes, says Rob Key

The managing director of England men's cricket is also urging Jonny Bairstow to get himself fully fit for the series, which begins on June 16 at Edgbaston

Oliver Lawrie | 04/05/2023 at 15:47

Jofra Archer will have a "massive impact" on the upcoming men's Ashes series against Australia, managing director of England men's cricket Rob Key has predicted.

Despite outings for the white-ball sides over the winter, the fast bowler hasn't played Test cricket since February 2021 and continues to be dogged by a long-term elbow problem.

At the start of April, he left the Indian Premier League to have a minor procedure and see a specialist in Belgium.

Speaking to Sky Sports at the Bob Willis Fund golf day, Key said: "We're going to select for the Ireland Test, so hopefully he'll be available for selection for that, at this point I'm assuming he will be.

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Archer has made a cautious return to action after more than a year out of the game (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

"Then we've got a crop of bowlers, Ben has spoken about how he wants eight bowlers, at least, ready for the Ashes, which we've got and more actually.

"They're all in different parts, Jofra's part of the fast crew with Mark Wood and Ollie Stone people like that, then you've got (Ollie) Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jimmy (James) Anderson those guys.

"We expect Jofra to be a massive part of that, and I think Jofra at some point will have a massive impact in the Ashes."

Jonny Bairstow is on course to be fit in time for the international summer after making great strides in his recovery from suffering a broken leg on a golf course last September.

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Jonny Bairstow is making steady progress in his return to competitive cricket (George Wood/Getty Images)

He missed the T20 World Cup, and bilateral series in Australia, Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh but outings for the Yorkshire second XI against Nottinghamshire (he struck 97) and for the first team in the ongoing County Championship visit of Glamorgan have raised hopes of a return.

"He was a massive part of the success we had last summer, the way that he played, he was one of the best batsmen in the world I'd say at that point, he's a fantastic player," added Key.

"But we've purposely just said to him said 'Jonny you've got to get yourself fit', he had a horrific injury playing golf actually, as people know, and the problem is you start to think 'what do we do here, what do we do here' and it's like we just need to see him back fit.

"It's down to him as well, to go out there and do what he thinks is the best way for him to get back in the side. It's just really great to see him back playing."