Captain Jos Buttler 'optimistic' that 'superstar' Jofra Archer will be available for England T20 World Cup defence

England captain Jos Buttler is confident that Jofra Archer will be fit to feature in this summer's T20 World Cup.

The fast bowler last played for his country when they toured Bangladesh 12 months ago.

That was his latest attempt at a comeback after an injury-plagued four years, but he subsequently broke down at the Indian Premier League a few weeks later with a stress fracture in his right elbow.

However, after undergoing intensive treatment, it appears there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

"We all know just what a special cricketer he is and it’s been a tough few years for him not being able to get on the park and perform," said Buttler.

"But with someone like him who is such a superstar, you’re always optimistic that with the physios and doctors working, his body will just allow him to get back where he was.

"I know how hard he’s been working at it and of course how desperate he is to come back."

Archer made his England debut shortly before their 2019 World Cup success, famously bowling in the super over at Lord's as Eoin Morgan's side narrowly beat New Zealand in the final.

He made his Test bow a few weeks later in the Ashes, but the injury nightmare started that year, and he has since suffered from a string of elbow and back problems.

As such, he has been limited to just 49 international appearances across all formats since first pulling on an England shirt.

That means he was absent when Buttler guided his team to the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, while he also missed the defence of their 50 Over crown in India last year.

However, he travelled to the Caribbean to train with the squad before their white ball matches against the West Indies at the back end of 2023.

Hopes of a comeback were then raised when he caught management off guard by playing in a match for his old school team.

"It’s really exciting for him that hopefully he’s going to get back to performing," Buttler continued. "As a captain he’s someone you want to throw the ball to.

"I think as a player he brings so much to the game – not just for us obviously but for the cricket world when he’s performing.”

Archer is currently in India, where he is preparing for the English summer with his county, Sussex.

The T20 World Cup gets underway on June 2, with matches spread across the West Indies and the United States.

England play their first match of the tournament on June 4, when they take on Scotland in Archer's native Barbados.

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