Thursday 5 April 2018 11:19, UK
Jofra Archer is hot property in the cricketing world right now.
The Barbados-born fast bowler was an ever-present in the Sussex white-ball side last summer and followed that up with a star showing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League over the winter.
Archer's team-leading 16 strikes across 12 games placed him in the tournament's top-five wicket-takers and helped secure him a $1.1 million deal in the IPL, with the Rajasthan Royals.
You can watch Archer in action with exclusive live coverage of the IPL on Sky Sports from April 7 and, ahead of the tournament, we caught up with the man himself to hear his thoughts on his remarkable rise, that hefty price tag and his Test cricket ambitions for England.
Click on the video above to watch the interview in full, while you can read on for more…
Dale Steyn recently tweeted: 'Been keeping an eye on Jofra Archer: this kid is going to be special'. How does that make you feel, coming from one of the all-time greats?
I hadn't initially seen it. But then one of my friends told me and when I eventually saw it, I was like 'Woah, thanks a lot'. It was very flattering.
Has it surprised you how much hype there has been around your performances?
I didn't really know how people would take to me, especially at Hobart - it can be difficult having an overseas player who hasn't played any international cricket. I was just glad to be given the opportunity and a chance to perform.
Can you quite believe how much money you went for in the IPL auction? You're the new Million Dollar Man.
If I'd have got half of the money I got, I'd have still been very happy. I just wanted to play in the IPL; the money is just a bonus. I'm most looking forward to bowling at the international players - it will be a gauge to see where I'm at and if I'm ready for international cricket.
Rajasthan Royals are full of big, star names: yourself, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith. How exciting is the idea of playing alongside these guys? Also, how tough will it be to get in the side with only four overseas spots available?
It's weird. I watched all of these players when you're younger, and now I'm actually in the same team, same environment. I think we have a really good team. I won't be too gutted if I don't play the majority of the games; I'm just happy to have this opportunity.
Buttler said recently that he thinks cricket could one day become just a one-format game: do you agree with that?
I don't want to agree with it, but I think it is looking that way a little bit. I personally want to play Test cricket, hopefully, when I qualify. It's the pinnacle, a great place to showcase your skills and really rate yourself. It was a childhood dream, that's the whole reason why I started playing cricket.
You qualify in 2022. Have you totally given up all aspirations of playing for the West Indies now? Are you 100% focussed on England now?
Yes. Playing in England is probably the best thing for me. Sussex took a big chance on me, though I was actually supposed to go to Northamptonshire. They did their pre-season tour in Barbados; I played in one of the games against them, did alright, and the coach asked me to come for a trial. But then as soon as Chris Jordan heard that, he spoke to the Sussex coaches and they told me to come down.
Watch Jofra Archer in action, and every match of the 2018 Indian Premier League, live on Sky Sports Cricket, from April 7.
