Archer coy on England plans

Jofra Archer says his pending England qualification will not affect his Big Bash stint with the Hobart Hurricanes, but the speedster's seemingly inevitable ascension to international cricket remains clouded.

In a major boost for last year's KFC BBL runners-up, Archer has vowed to play for the Hurricanes "until the last ball of the last game" of this year's tournament, despite being only days away from fulfilling England residency requirements and becoming available for national selection.

The Barbados-born paceman says he hasn’t had any contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board after it reduced the national qualification period from seven years to three for players, like Archer, who have arrived in the country after their 18th birthday.

While he's set to become available for England ahead of the upcoming World Cup to be held in the United Kingdom from late-May, Archer says he might have to wait to make his international debut.

"I felt great but that does not cement anything," Archer told cricket.com.au when asked about the ECB's recent rule change.

"It doesn't guarantee I'll play this year, next year or the year after, it just means that I could be.

"It is good news - I thought I was going to have to wait another couple of years, but at the same time it does not determine that I'm going to get picked this year or next year.

"I might still have to wait a long time. We'll see."

Since arriving in Australia last summer when the Hurricanes signed him as an overseas replacement player for Tom Curran, Archer has become one of the game's most effective and in-demand short-form bowlers.

A $A1.4m Indian Premier League windfall followed his 16-wicket season for Hobart in BBL|07, but it appeared as though Archer would have to wait until 2022 to play international cricket before the ECB's recent relaxing of their regulations.

Archer, who has also underlined his prowess with red ball in hand by taking 102 wickets at 23 in first-class cricket for Sussex over the past two UK seasons, admits he's found it frustrating at times to be sidelined from international cricket.

The 23-year-old returned to Barbados for three weeks after the northern summer and trained with close friend and England international Chris Jordan, who had come across Archer as a teenager on the island and played an integral role in his eventual signing by Sussex in 2016.

Archer says he hasn't considered making himself available for West Indies.

"Everyone knows how I got to the point that I am," Archer said. "A few people (in Barbados) – not my family – say I should play for the West Indies. But that ship's sailed.

"They (Archer's family) are happy for me. As long as I'm happy, they're happy, it doesn't matter where I am or who I am.

"I don't want to mess anything up by going back to play for the West Indies, so I just have to wait."

While Archer was not available for England's tour of the Caribbean that features five ODIs and three T20s, selection chief Ed Smith said Archer could be considered for the World Cup after he qualifies.

"I wouldn't rule anything out. I don't really believe in ruling things out," said Smith. "If there are other players who become available and we think they're worthy of consideration then we'll consider them."

England play six ODIs in May against Ireland and Pakistan before their World Cup campaign begins, but Archer insists he currently only has one focus.

"I'm more hungry to get to the (BBL) final and win the final for Hobart than anything else right now," he said.