‘Jofra just another Englishman’

West Indies Test skipper Jason Holder has said his team will treat Barbados-born speedster Jofra Archer as just another English cricketer when the opening Test begins in Southampton on July 8.

Archer gained eligibility to represent England in 2018. He had played for the West Indies U-19 side in 2014.

West Indies pacer Kemar Roach on Sunday sounded a message to Archer, saying there would be “no friendships” with him during the series.

Echoing similar voice, Holder said friendship with Archer would take a back seat when the three-match series begins.

“Archer is English now. I think Kemar Roach had an interview yesterday [Monday] and he spoke about the same thing,” Holder said on the show Good Morning Britain.

“You know we are friends off the field but when we cross that line you just see him as another Englishman. I am sure even he must be looking to knock our heads off.”

The three-match Test series will restart international cricket that was shutdown in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Archer has emerged as a match winner ever since he started playing for England, having played a pivotal role in helping his team win their maiden World Cup last year.

Asked about the ongoing worldwide protest against racism following the death of George Floyd in the USA, Holder said the West Indies team was firmly behind the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.

“As a team we will show our solidarity to the movement. We had a few discussions and come July 8th, we will show our support,” he said.

“I’ve been following it quite closely and I’ve seen many opinions on the matter and what should be done and what can be done. It’s a perfect opportunity to effect change. One of the things that stands out is unity. We need to unite and come together as one.” (IndianExpress)