The latest West Indian million-dollar recruit in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Jofra Archer was always a naturally gifted cricketer.
And even though he has not played a single Test match, One-Day international or Twenty20 International, Archer’s long-standing coach at his alma mater Christ Church Foundation, Denis “Parker” Osbourne, says he is delighted with his progress.
“I am more than overjoyed at his success. Seeing that he came from humble beginnings to where he is at now is more than anybody can ask for, especially as it relates to his cricketing ability,” Osbourne told MIDWEEK SPORT in an interview.
The 22-year-old Archer was the most expensive West Indian purchased on Saturday’s opening day of the new IPL auction when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for US$1.13 million.
“From early, I realised he had immense cricketing talent when he came into Foundation School and that was more or less pushed by his stepdad, Patrick “Noddy” Waithe, who was always there for him. He always encouraged him to play cricket. He would always take him around to various cricket games so he always had that cricketing blood in him,” Osbourne noted.
“He had the natural ability. He was more of a batting all-rounder when he was in first form, but as you can see now, his bowling has come on leaps and bounds,” added Osbourne.
While Archer is a product of Seaview and Ocean View (near St Martin’s and Foul Bay) in St Philip where he lived with his mother Joelle Waithe, his father Frank Archer, a former standout local footballer, was born in England but grew up in Brittons Hill and attended Combermere School.
Osbourne also explained why the younger Archer decided to go to England and link up with Sussex where he had an oustanding season last year. He scored 638 runs at an average of 45.57 and captured 61 wickets at 25.29 in 13 first-class matches.
“He figured that he was hard done at the West Indies Under-19 level and he got the opportunity seeing his father has the English citizenship. He felt that his chances in the Caribbean would’ve been quite limited and he was more or less encouraged . . . to pursue his cricket in England and that move has really paid dividends for him,” Osbourne said.
Osbourne said Archer, who attracted global attention for his performances in the Australian Big Bash with Hobart Hurricanes, is the type of player that “always want to be involved in the game.”
The Hobart Hurricanes announced yesterday that it had re-signed Archer for a further two seasons.
Osbourne recalled that former West Indies fast bowler, Sir Charles Griffith recognised his ability some years ago during the Garfield Sobers Schools International Competition.
“We were playing a game against a Trinidad team at Yorkshire (Friendship ground) and Charlie Griffith (now Sir Charles) saw him and he asked me about him so I took Jofra and I introduced him. He took a liking to him and was one of the first persons to realise that he really had potential,” Osbourne said.
Osbourne said one of Archer’s most memorable performances came in the 2013 Barbados Cricket Association’s Intermediate final against Isolation Cavaliers at the Foursquare Oval, when he starred with bat and ball, scoring 86 batting at No. 9 and taking a five-wicket haul and helped Foundation to gain promotion to the Division 1 competition.
“He always had potential but over the years, his bowling has really come to the fore and his batting too has also come on.”
Concerning whether he should make himself available to play for the West Indies or wait until he is eligible to represent England, Osbourne said that’s a decision he must make for himself.
“Whatever decision he makes, I am going to support him because I know how he felt about not making the West Indies’ Under-19 World Cup team and he’s already reaping benefits by going to play in England.” (EZS)