Jofra Archer will be 'inspired' to return to Test cricket by watching Mark Wood's pace displays for England, says close friend Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan insists that Jofra Archer is determined to play Test cricket again and that watching Mark Wood regularly hit speeds in excess of 90MPH in the recent Test series against West Indies will only push Archer further.

‘That will definitely inspire Jofra to get back in the Test team,’ Jordan told Mail Sport. ‘Him and Woody have that unique relationship where they’re always watching the speed gun and that kind of thing can only be good for English cricket,’ Jordan added.

Archer, 29, played for England at the recent T20 World Cup and is currently playing for Southern Brave at The Hundred alongside Jordan, but has been ruled out of the red-ball game until 2025 as England look to manage his return after a string of injuries as part of ‘a slow process to get him back for all forms.’ The last time he played a Test match for England was in February 2021.

‘I don’t see why Jofra can’t (return to Test cricket). Everything has to be in stages though. It’s very easy for everyone to get carried away but he’s got a long way to go and a lot of cricket to play before we can feel like he’s fully back,’ said Jordan. 'But those expectations are always high with Jofra because of what he’s capable of with the ball and he’s making some good strides.’

Jordan and Archer are close friends, with the pair both born in Barbados before moving to England. It was in Barbados in June against USA when Jordan became the first England player to take a men’s T20I hat-trick. Alongside Adil Rashid, the pair are the only England players to take at least 100 T20I wickets.

‘That’s right up there with one of my best days of cricket,’ said the 35-year-old. ‘All the ingredients were there with the hometown where i grew up and so many family and friends in the crowd.’

And Jordan stressed that he still feels like he can do a job for England, even though an overhaul is expected in the white-ball setup after Matthew Mott was sacked earlier this week.

Jos Buttler will keep the captaincy as England next welcome Australia in September for three T20Is and five ODIs, with Marcus Trescothick in charge on an interim basis.

'I feel as if my fitness levels are only getting better. My body feels as good as ever. My pace is right up there,’ said Jordan. 'Who knows what life holds? I’m very fortunate to have played close to 11 years for England and have so many good memories. If they can continue, then great. If not, then so be it.'

Chris Jordan was speaking to Mail Sport at the ‘Taste of Cricket’ event which the ECB and Shepherds Bush Cricket Club held to celebrate inclusivity in the game, with celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott the special guest. 

The campaign forms part of the ECB’s Raising The Game platform, whereby they are supporting up to 100 community club events this summer in order to bring communities together and celebrate the intrinsic link between food and cricket through the ‘match tea’ ritual.