LONDON – Barbados-born England fast-bowling sensation Jofra Archer has been named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers-of-the-Year.
The honour for the 25-year-old comes following a sensational international debut last year when he helped his adopted country win their first-ever 50-over World Cup and the coveted Ashes just months later.
He is joined by the Australian trio of Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins and Ellyse Perry, along with South African off-spinner Simon Harmer.
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell also grabbed a share of the spotlight when he was voted the Twenty20 Player-of-the-Year.
Archer, meanwhile, only qualified for England just three months before the World Cup, after the England and Wales Cricket Board reduced its eligibility wait from seven years.
The right-armer, born and raised in Barbados, had previously played a handful of matches for West Indies Under-19s in 2013 before becoming frustrated with his lack of selection in the Caribbean and turning his attention to representing England.
He holds a UK passport through his father.
Archer made an immediate impact for England, snatching 20 wickets at 23 runs apiece to spearhead his side’s attack. More importantly, he bowled the dramatic super-over as England beat New Zealand in a nerve-jangling finish to a topsy-turvy final at Lord’s.
Belated introduced into the Ashes with England already trailing 1-0, Archer brought the series to life with his searing pace in the Lord’s second Test, hitting in-form marquee batsman Steve Smith and putting him out of the third Test at Headingley which England won by a wicket to level the five-match rubber.
Archer went on to take 22 wickets at an average of 20 as England drew the series 2-2 to retain the cherished urn. (CMC)