”Divided by the nations but united by the IPL” has always been a popular line whenever the lucrative tournament gets underway. But, the United people has divided again when it comes to a National Duty. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer also insists on the same regarding his friendship with Steve Smith.
Jofra Archer and Steve Smith are the teammates in the Indian Premier League, where they enjoyed quite a time. However, the fast bowler made it crystal clear that there will be no friendship during the course of the game, especially, when they are facing each other.
Archer and Smith along with his England teammates Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler ply their trade for the Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the English pacer admitted he is looking forward to playing with Smith, who he considers a good friend, he also said that there will be no friendly response from his side when the duo comes face to face at the Lord’s on Tuesday.
It’s time to be friends after the game – Jofra Archer
Archer hopes his rapid pace and some inside knowledge could prove useful at Lord’s, even though he playfully suggested Smith had not been keen to face him in the nets during their time at Rajasthan.
“Yes, and I’d like to think he considers me the same way as well. He’s a really good guy. But cricket is cricket and I guess it’s time to be friends after. Until the game is over, there will be nothing friendly about it,” Archer said when asked about facing his Rajasthan Royals teammate Smith.
“To be honest, I didn’t bowl at him much. A lot of the guys probably don’t want to face me or Oshane Thomas in the nets. But when you play with them you pick up on things you won’t normally notice when you’re just playing against them. So hopefully I and Ben can get together, I think we might bowl together at some point as well. We probably know what to do when he’s in,” Jofra Archer added.
Currently, England is in a tricky situation in the World Cup after their surprising loss to Sri Lanka in their previous encounter. Chasing a modest 233 on a difficult track, England’s might batting line-up crumbled under pressure as Lasith Malinga ran riot with the ball.
The hosts, who are one of the favourites to win the title, have now lost two out of their first six games and need to win at least two of their remaining three fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and India.