CWC 2019: Ben Stokes pep talk helped Jofra Archer stay cool to deliver World Cup glory

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  • Jofra Archer has revealed how a timely word from Ben Stokes helped him stay cool enough to deliver the super over that sealed England’s first World Cup.

    Archer only made his international debut in May but when the moment came to make one last push for glory – after both sides tied on 241 runs – it was the 24-year-old who took his place in the spotlight.

    England’s batting heroes, Stokes and Jos Buttler, had just posted 15 in their six-ball shootout and the hosts needed someone to defend the mark.

    Archer instantly nominated himself and captain Eoin Morgan agreed. It was the most pressurised over any England bowler has sent down since Stokes was clubbed for four successive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite in the final moments of the World T20 three years ago.

    “Stokesy came over and told me, win or lose, today will not define me as a player,” said Archer.

    “He probably went through the same emotions and the same feeling when he bowled the last over and that is why he came over to me,” added Archer.

    “Stokesy told me that even if we lost it wouldn’t be the end of the world, that everyone believes in me, but I’m just so pleased we won.

    “If we’d lost I don’t know what I’d have done but thankfully I don’t have to think about that now.”

    Archer has been the picture of composure in the early days of his international career.

    However, when the triumphant moment came, courtesy of Jason Roy and Jos Buttler’s shared run out of Martin Guptill, he said: “Man, it was serious, serious passion.

    “I can’t imagine a better group of guys to win with. I can’t put it into words, I can’t believe we won.

    “It has been the best time of my life so far, making my debut and winning the World Cup in the space of two months is really, really special. Hopefully I can look back in 10-15 years and say ‘I was part of that’.”

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