England's Chris Jordan says he couldn't get enough of the risk of bowling at the end of a limited-overs innings, although it may make you a hero or a zero.
“I still very much enjoy it. It’s like an addiction because the prospect of coming out on the right end of it keeps me going back for it every time,” Jordan stated Mail Sport. “That’s my mindset because it’s a real top feeling when you win a game for your team — it does a lot for your confidence.”
As a result, Jordan, who felt conflicted throughout the last two Twenty20 World Cups, will be putting his hand up to take on the job once more next month.
After helping to destroy Pakistan's middle order in the Melbourne final eighteen months prior, Surrey's white-ball skipper, who finished with figures of two for 27, took wickets in the 18th and 20th overs on his way to becoming a global champion as he headed to the Caribbean.
In a ten-year international career, only Adil Rashid has amassed more T20 wickets (96), but his batting is largely responsible for his inclusion in the team that plays a four-match series against Pakistan to prepare for the tournament.
Following Ben Stokes' withdrawal, the selectors concentrated on finding a seam bowling alternative with a reputation for strong ball striking towards the end of innings. Jamie Overton's injured back meant that Jordan finished in 15th and last place.
“I’ve always viewed myself as an all-rounder but on average, when you are batting at seven and eight, you are not facing more than seven to eight deliveries,” Jordan noted. “You’re not going to be scoring the headline 50 or 100, but there are other ways to have an impact and you have to assess how to be as effective as possible because sometimes you walk in with someone on 60 at the other end and it’s your job to rotate the strike. On other days, the team might be in a world of trouble, it’s a decent enough wicket and 150 will not be enough, so that dictates you take a few more risks. One thing I have developed in the past couple of years is that clarity of the time to “go” and not holding back when it is time, fully committing to shots and giving it everything when trying to clear the ropes.”
Jordan was left off of England's December away series against the West Indies, but the most important lesson learned from the trip was the importance of six-hitting – the two teams combined for 120 runs in five games.
“The game might come down to two or three balls,” Jordan remarked, “so no matter how you’ve gone in your spell previously, it’ll be so important to remain in the present and understand that two or three of your best deliveries can change the game. That’s how fine a margin the game is becoming.”
Jordan may play for England in a World Cup final at Bridgetown's Kensington Oval, which is just a short distance from his childhood home if he is called up.
“If I could end up in a moment like that it’d be unbelievable,” he noted. “First and foremost, it means we’ll have gone a long way towards defending our title. Secondly, it’s the culture I grew up in and a lot of my family and friends, who otherwise would not be able to travel or watch me play international cricket, will be there.”
Hopefully, Jofra Archer, a personal friend and fellow fast bowler from Barbados, will also succeed this week against the Pakistanis in his first professional match in more than a year.
“He’s worked so hard to get to this point and he’s chomping at the bit, but I just want him to keep taking things a day at a time and not put too much pressure on,” Jordan stated. “Watching him operate you wouldn’t think he was out for that long. Like anyone, he needs games and hopefully, he’ll get them over and hit his stride at the right time, peaking into the World Cup.”