New Sussex signing Archer is tipped for a '˜big future'

The 21-year-old West Indian seamer has broken through into the Sussex first team over the last month and has made his debut in all three formats - which has led to an 18-month contract.

Archer, who signed as Horsham’s overseas this season, first played 2nd XI cricket for Sussex back in 2014, and recently made his first-class debut in Sussex’s tour match with Pakistan, taking 4-49.

The ex-West Indies under-19 player made his T20 Blast bow against Hampshire at Hove, and then made his List A debut in the Royal London One-Day Cup at Gloucestershire.

On Saturday, he claimed a maiden five-wicket haul in List A cricket, starring with 5 for 42 against Somerset in front of the Sky cameras.

Johnson said: “The whole club’s fully behind him and we are really happy for him.

“He has exploded on to the scene and hasn’t put a foot wrong since he’s played for Sussex. He loves what he does.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s not been available for us as much as we’d like.

“We played against Middleton last year and played against him, away, and he was playing with a stress fracture so was bowling off a short run.

“The ball was flying by our ears. He bowled a really nice speed at us.

“We were trying to find out who he was and then six months later he sent us an email asking if he could play for us.

“I realised this could be a crucial signing for us, so I acted on it very quickly.”

Archer is now one of four former or current Horsham Cricket Club players on the books as Sussex.

Ever-green batsman Chris Nash is a mainstay in the county side along with Will Beer and George Garton, who are both signed with the Lions this season.

Current Roffey player Stuart Whittingham has also burst onto the scene this season in the County Championship side.

Johnson has now predicted a big future for the former Middleton player Archer.

He said: “Jofra holds the ball up well and is not that slow - he has got talent with the bat as well.

“He scored a fantastic 100 for us against Bexhill which pretty much won us the game.

“Jofra’s got a big future - he’s already shown he can do well for Sussex in a handful of games.

“With a bit more experience and a bit more time in this type of environment and playing at this level, he’s only going to get better and better.”

Archer said of his new deal, “It’s a lovely club. Everyone in the management and playing staff has taken really good care of me since the first day I walked in.

“It was one of my goals this year to play in at least one format in the first team, but it’s been a great feeling to play in all three.

“All of the coaches have had a big influence on me since I’ve been here, but Jon Lewis is always pushing me. I can always go to him for advice, I’m very grateful and he’s been really good to me.”

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