Archer says 'body management' key in busy England calender
Last updated on: 02 February,2021 08:41 pm
The Barbados-born bowler joined his teammates including coach Chris Silverwood and Jos Buttler
CHENNAI (AFP) - Paceman Jofra Archer said Tuesday that "body management" will be crucial during a busy year of cricket for England as he returns after a break for the Test clash in India.
England, who have at least 17 Tests including the Ashes scheduled in 2021, begin their four-match India series in Chennai on Friday.
The 25-year-old Archer, along with Ben Stokes, was rested for the Sri Lanka tour as Joe Root s England swept the two-Test series 2-0 last month. "It s going to be a long long year," Archer told reporters after a training session in Chennai.
"We ve got a few series coming up. I think body management is going to be essential if I want to play everything, almost everything."
The Barbados-born bowler joined his teammates including coach Chris Silverwood and Jos Buttler in lauding the England and Wales Cricket board for their rest-and-rotate policy during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Anyone that s criticising it never spent time in the bubble. One golfer left after four days. We have been in here for almost a year now," he said.
"At the end of the day humans are social people and sometimes it gets hard, especially if you ve not had a great game or if you are not feeling good but then in cricket there is no escape."
He added: "I think the ECB has made it really great to give people (time off), myself I had six weeks away.
"I think Jos (Buttler) is done after this game and for a little bit Sam s (Curran) gone. So they are making a priority, everyone gets time away, so that we can come back refreshed and ready to go."
Archer, who has become a key part of England s pace attack since making his debut in 2019, said he is ready to be in the team bubble for a few months ahead.
"I don t mind to be honest because I know that I would get time away so I m just going to follow the job at hand now," said Archer.
"And if it gets too overbearing then there is no shame in saying that. But I think right now I am good to go until at least July."
Archer has claimed 38 wickets in 11 Tests and 37 scalps in 24 limited-overs matches for the national team.