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<\/p>\nJofra Archer was in attendance in Barbados ahead of the ODI series decider <\/p>\n
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Jofra Archer was a special guest at England training on Friday, linking up with the team ahead of their ODI series decider against the West Indies in Barbados.<\/p>\n
There is no timescale on the fast bowler\u2019s return from the latest injury setback that scotched faint hopes of a World Cup berth, but he has been rehabilitating on the island where he was born and raised.<\/p>\n
Archer shook hands with head coach Matthew Mott and director of men\u2019s cricket Rob Key, who has joined England in Barbados, after getting to the Kensington Oval before going through some drills in the nets.<\/p>\n
He started bowling gently on the outfield before increasing his intensity during a session lasting about 30 minutes, although England have made plain they would not be taking any risks with the player.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old has not played competitively since May, ruled out of the Ashes by a recurrence of a stress fracture in a right elbow that has caused persistent problems since his breakout year in 2019.<\/p>\n
He reported soreness in the joint during a brief stint in Mumbai after being named by England selector Luke Wright as their only \u201ctravelling reserve\u201d for the World Cup, returning home shortly afterwards.<\/p>\n
The premium England place on Archer was underlined when he received a two-year central contract in October, despite being unavailable for the past three World Cups and two Ashes series.<\/p>\n
Key, who also joined England in Barbados, stated last month Archer would need building up again, adding: \u201cElbows, from what everyone says, are a tricky part of the body that you don\u2019t want to get wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Archer will remain in Barbados once England head for Grenada next week but his presence was a welcome boost as they look to build on the momentum gained from levelling the ODI series in Antigua.<\/p>\n
In two matches so far, Phil Salt and Will Jacks have got England off to excellent starts with half-century opening partnerships, both off 5.4 overs, taking the attack to the Windies bowlers.<\/p>\n
The pair have followed the blueprint first adopted by Jason Roy and Alex Hales then Jonny Bairstow \u2013 although Salt, by his own estimation, is yet to cash in after getting out for 45 and 21.<\/p>\n
\nWhen myself and Will (Jacks) were coming through, we understood that this is the way that you have to play if you want to play for England<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cI enjoy batting with Will,\u201d Salt said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about getting off to a flyer by hitting a boundary but rotating strike. He\u2019s probably the best partner I\u2019ve batted with in white-ball cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen myself and Will were coming through, we understood that this is the way that you have to play if you want to play for England. More than anything it\u2019s second nature. The clues of success are in there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like we\u2019re yet to go on with it and really bang them to rights outside of the powerplay. When that happens, it will be entertaining to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salt did not receive an England central contract but \u201cdidn\u2019t expect the call\u201d. Asked if he had any communication from Key, Salt added: \u201cI\u2019ve got a couple of \u2018well batted\u2019 texts, that\u2019s about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salt has extra motivation for wanting to end the series with a flourish, having spent six years of his childhood in Barbados.<\/p>\n
He was nine when his property-developer father uprooted the family from Bodelwyddan in north Wales to the Caribbean island, where the now 27-year-old\u2019s attention shifted from football to cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love it,\u201d Salt added. \u201cIt\u2019s a very special place for me. I love being here and playing here. Hopefully I can put on a bit of a show.\u201d<\/p>\n
England could make bowling changes for their third ODI in seven days but the temptation might be to stick with the same team that recorded a six-wicket win at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Wednesday.<\/p>\n