Jofra Archer sets eyes on T20 Blast return following multiple elbow surgeries

In a boost to England, fast bowler, Jofra Archer targets the upcoming T20 Blast for his comeback into competitive cricket. Archer has had as many as three surgeries in the last 14 months, two of which were on his elbow.

He returned to action briefly before his second elbow injury and also travelled to the Caribbean with the England team as part of his rehabilitation during their T20I and Test series against the West Indies.

Archer, who was signed by the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction, has set his sights on the opening fixture in the T20 Blast against Glamorgan on May 26.

"In a situation like this, when you are forced to have operations, you do think about whether you are going to play cricket again, whether you're going to play all formats even," Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail. 

"But the ECB gave me the assurance and peace of mind that they wanted me around for a long time."

Archer also feared that he would lose his England central contract, but remains confident of a successful return this time around.

"At one point I thought I was going to lose my [England central] contract when things weren't going well, but now I have confidence about what the future holds. Part of that is down to them not rushing me back," Archer, who last played for England in March 2021, said.

"After my first operation last May, my right elbow felt no different at all. Obviously, I wasn't going to fully know whether it had been successful until I started bowling, but what I can say is that things immediately felt different after my second one in December. Now, nearly five months down the line, it's a relief the way things are.

"Yes, there have been two surgeries but honestly, I couldn't have written my rehab comeback any better. 

"Now, I just need some game time to be able to put my trust in the elbow. I've not trusted it supporting me for a long period, so it's going to take a little bit of work to do so and bowl at full tilt."

Archer could play a couple of Sussex's second XI T20 fixtures ahead of the T20 Blast so that his focus will not be focused just on his elbow when he returns to first-team action.

"A lot of guys, when they have a niggle, will not push themselves because they know if they give that extra 5-10% it's going to hurt," he said. 

"Instead, they live inside their comfort zone.

"That's the hurdle I am trying to get over now, to get myself out of that zone and to full capacity; to have the confidence to play without thinking about the injury. 

"What I can say is that I've been building up really nicely and bowling some really quick balls, so there's no doubt I am not far away."

With the ECB unwilling to rush him back into Test cricket, Archer could not be considered for the format the entire summer. He however has no clarity over his white-ball participation, especially with a T20 World Cup a few months away.

For now, his focus is on playing cricket for one full year without any further hurdles. "As for Test cricket this summer, I simply haven't thought that far ahead," he said. "I've not had any prompts from anyone, telling me I'm a one-format player as yet.

"I still want to play everything, but my first task is the Blast and if I don't play that properly, then I won't be able to play Test cricket. So the focus needs to be on the cricket I've got lined up and we will see from there.

"I am not setting ambitious targets just yet. All I want is to stay on the park for a full year without any more setbacks. I am aware there is a Twenty20 World Cup this coming autumn but I just want to be out there, having a good run."