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Jofra Archer confident of retention by Royals in Mega IPL auction

Rajasthan Royals premier pacer Jofra Archer believes that he is going to be retained by the franchise in the Mega IPL auction scheduled to take place after completion of the 2021 edition of the league. The speedster believes that he could be fitter and more relaxed for the next season having missed this suspended season so far due to injury. 

“It’s terrible in India at the moment, and if I did go to India, I would have been home early anyway,” Archer told Sussex’ Youtube channel in an interview after the first day of his Championship game against Kent. The Caribbean man further said, “If it [IPL] reschedules this year, hopefully, I would be able to go.”

Talking about his relationship with the cash-rich league’s franchise, the 26-year-old said, “I have now been at Rajasthan for the last three and next year the mega auction is coming up. It is more than likely that they would want me fit and relaxed and ready to perform in the next season.” 

Revealing the reasons behind his decision of pulling out of this year’s league, the Sussex player said, “It was a bit of me and a bit of England as well. Obviously, both Rajasthan and England supported me in my decision. It was a hard decision to not go to India, a bit unpredictable as well.” 

Saying that he could have gone but wasn’t sure of the number of games he would have played, Archer emphasised that he didn’t want to go just for the sake of going and not performing to his potential. “In hindsight, we can say that Covid probably would have saved me. But you don’t want to go hoping, if I am going, I am going to give my best.”

“And if IPL doesn’t happen this year then we get a fresh start and hopefully, I am there and hopefully, Stokes is there as well,” added the World Cup winner who has so far played 35 games for the Northern India franchise in the IPL, picking up 46 wickets and scoring 195 runs. 

Playing for Sussex in his comeback First-Class game after the elbow injury that happened prior to IPL, the Barbados born took two wickets and was one of the chief architects in Kent's debacle, getting all out for 145 at County Ground Hove.

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Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips two new faces in New Zealand’s Central Contracts list

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T20 Blast: Kent sign Afghan leggie Qais Ahmad

Qais Ahmad became the fifth Afghan player to sign a contract for the upcoming Vitality Blast, England’s premium t20 tournament. Kent informed that the leggie would also be available for two County Championship matches for the side, subject to regulatory approval. “I’m excited to play in the Vitality Blast and I’m really looking forward to being a Kent Spitfire,” Ahmad was quoted as saying by Kent’s official website. “Having played alongside Daniel Bell-Drummond at Colombo Kings, I have heard good things about Kent and I will give it my all,” the Afghan added. Ahmad, who has taken 77 wickets in a T20 career of 67 matches with an average of 21.78, would be joined by his Afghan teammates, Rashid Khan (Sussex), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Middlesex), Mohammad Nabi (Northamptonshire) and Naveen-ul-Haq (Leicestershire) in the Blast 2021. The Nangarhar born might have played only one Test, but he has 68 wickets in 12 first-class matches so far at an average of 20.51. Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, was pleased to have signed Ahamad as the lone leggie in the side as the previous year’s quarterfinalists were deprived of the spin options with only Imran Qayyum’s left-arm spin being available at disposal along with Joe Denly’s part-time leg-spin. “We’re delighted to welcome a leg-spinner of Qais Ahmad’s class to Kent as we look to bring some variety to our attack ahead of the Vitality Blast,” Downton said. “I am confident that his enthusiasm for the game will make him a firm favourite with our Members and supporters as we look to welcome crowds back to watching live cricket again,” he added.