‘When the time comes next year, I’ll be fully switched on’: Chris Jordan ready to right Twenty20 wrongs with England at World Cup in Australia
- Chris Jordan targets success at next year’s Twenty20 World Cup with England
- Jordan was part of England’s defeat in India in 2016 then missed out last summer
- His death bowling is expected to play a key role in T20 series with New Zealand
- And he plans to use the tour as a stepping-stone to the World Cup in Australia
Chris Jordan has targeted success at next year’s Twenty20 World Cup after he was part of England’s agonising defeat in India in 2016, and then missed out on selection during this summer’s triumphant 50-over campaign.
Jordan’s death bowling is expected to play a central role in England’s five-match T20 series against New Zealand, starting this week in Christchurch – and he plans to use the tour as a stepping-stone to the World Cup in Australia, which begins in October 2020.
‘I was an over away last time,’ he said, referring to England’s defeat by West Indies at Kolkata three years ago, when Carlos Brathwaite hit Ben Stokes for four successive sixes.
Chris Jordan is targetting success at next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia
‘Obviously it was meant to be. But when the time comes next year and that intensity starts to ramp up, I’m sure I’ll be fully switched on.
‘It is something you do embrace, because it is a goal you set yourself – it is something you work towards. It was no different with the 50-over World Cup when we were building towards that, so you do speak about it.’
Jordan has not played for England since their most recent T20 match, against Pakistan at Cardiff in May, but among the experimental side here in New Zealand only captain Eoin Morgan has won more 20-over caps than his 39.
One man who won’t join the tour until next month’s two-Test series is Jordan’s close friend and Sussex team-mate Jofra Archer.
Jordan (left) consoles Ben Stokes during England’s agonising defeat in India in 2016
Jofra Archer’s success during the World Cup helped Jordan feel part of the experience
But Jordan admitted that Archer’s success during the World Cup helped him feel part of the experience – even though he didn’t make England’s final squad of 15.
‘When Jofra was performing the way he was, it felt like I was making those performances as well,’ he said. ‘It was that touching, it was that daring, especially in the World Cup final, when he bowled that awesome super over. If anything I felt just as much a part of it.’
England were scheduled to begin their six-week tour last night with a 20-over warm-up game against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln, with the likes of Tom Banton, Saqib Mahmood and Pat Brown all appearing at senior level for the first time.
‘Pat is young, he’s got a free mind, he’s fearless and he’s got some awesome skills,’ said Jordan.
‘We’ve been having a few good conversations over the last few days, speaking about bowling and field placings. He’s a very keen bowler and a real student of the game.’