Archer's England eligibility set for March

Jofra Archer will be available for England next year, but he will have to wait until March before he is officially eligible.

Published : Nov 30, 2018 00:42 IST

Under ECB's new criteria mean Barbados-born Sussex star Jofra Archer will become eligible for England from 2019.
Under ECB's new criteria mean Barbados-born Sussex star Jofra Archer will become eligible for England from 2019.
lightbox-info

Under ECB's new criteria mean Barbados-born Sussex star Jofra Archer will become eligible for England from 2019.

Sussex has clarified the point at which star all-rounder Jofra Archer is set to become available for England selection following changes to eligibility regulations on Thursday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that players wishing to play for England need only three years' residence - down from seven previously for those moving after their 18th birthday - with the changes coming into effect in the new year.

Former West Indies youth international Archer moved to Sussex in 2015 and appeared to believe this would put him in line for a call-up for England's Caribbean tour in the new year.

The team will play three Tests, five ODIs and three Twenty20s, starting in Barbados - the isle of Archer's birth - on January 23.

READ | Archer keen for England bow following eligibility rule change

"It may or may not happen but I would love to debut in front of my family," Archer posted on Twitter of a potential England debut in that first Test match.

However, due to his Twenty20 commitments in the coming months, Archer is not set to reach the 210 days of residency required in his third year until some time in March.

 

Sussex said in a statement later on Thursday: "The exact date of Jofra's qualification will depend on the time he spends out of the country during the rest of 2018-19."

They added: "Qualifying for England has long been an aim of Jofra's and Sussex Cricket is delighted for him that this ambition will now be realised sooner than previously envisaged."

Archer may not be available in time for a return to Barbados to play the Windies, but the Cricket World Cup and the Ashes remain viable targets later next year.

Under previous regulations, the 23-year-old would not have been set to qualify for England until 2022.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment