LONDON AFP: Jofra Archer marked his call-up to England’s World Cup squad by setting his sights on taking the prized wicket of India captain Virat Kohli.
Barbados-born fast bowler Archer was included in a 15-man squad announced on the back of a mere three one-day internationals, having only qualified for the World Cup hosts and favourites on residency grounds in March.
But the 24-year-old, whose father is English, has already faced many of the world’s leading cricketers while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
“I’d quite like to get Virat Kohli out because I wasn’t able to in the IPL,” Archer told Sky Sports.
“Chris Gayle as well,” added Archer, mentioning the big-hitting West Indies batsman.
And for all his lack of England experience, Archer believes the time he has spent in the IPL has been good preparation for the pressure of a World Cup.
“I think I probably have a bigger advantage over some of the other guys in our team,” he said.
“We play (these guys) twice a (season) in the IPL, so you know their weaknesses, you know their strengths, you know if they can’t run between the wickets... it gets you an extra bit of inside information.”
He added: “To be honest, I think international cricket is probably the same intensity as the IPL. I think the only thing that changes is the amount of overs (the IPL is a Twenty20 competition).” With this year’s 10-team 50-over World Cup an all-play-all affair in the group phase, England are set to face the West Indies at Southampton on June 14 and India at Edgbaston on June 30.