England allrounder Jofra Archer opened up on his mental breakdown after getting over a lot of criticism in his five-day self-isolation because of violating the bio-secure bubble. Several former cricketers and his teammates showed their concern over Archer’s mental fitness.
They doubted and many said that he would take time to get in the right frame of mind before heading to play the crucial third Test against West Indies. However, his teammate Ollie Pope has brushed off all the questions over Jofra Archer’s mindset.
Jofra Archer bowling well with pace and accuracy: Ollie Pope
Ollie Pope, who was with Archer during the practice ahead of the last test in Manchester, has said that the pacer was bowling seriously in nets. He also said that the players were happy with the return of Jofra Archer.
“Jofra Archer has been bowling seriously well in the nets, with pace and accuracy, and it’s great to have him back with the squad,” Pope wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
However, Pope, who has played 9 Tests, admits that it is always tough for a cricketer to ignore outer voices when you are playing international cricket.
“As someone who has played a similar number of Tests to Jofra, I can relate to how difficult it can be to adapt to the added scrutiny that comes with being an international cricketer,” Pope added.
Jofra Archer was racially abused:
Jofra Archer had breached the bio-secure bubble protocol as he visited his home for one hour. As soon as ECB got informed about Archer’s mistake, they isolated the pacer at Old Trafford’s hotel for five days. Two COVID-19 tests were conducted during that period and both turned out to be negative. And after being fined and given a written warning, Archer was allowed to join the squad for the last Test match.
Archer, in a column for Daily Mail, expressed that he was racially abused on social media. He also stated the career in sports as fickle.
Meanwhile, the three-match Test series is at 1-1. The Manchester series will be decided whether the West Indies will create history by winning their first Test series in England.